Tips for Improving Dental Safety

Your mouth can be just as prone to injury as any other part of your body. There are a few minor lifestyle changes and things to be mindful of that can greatly reduce chances of a dental emergency and oral injury.

Your chances of suffering a chipped or fractured tooth are greatly increased if you commonly use your teeth as tool for doing things like opening plastic bags or biting off string. It’s also a good idea to avoid chewing hard objects like ice, partially popped popcorn and hard candy.

Athletes participating in contact sports or other rigorous athletic activities should invest in a mouth guard. Many retail level mouth guards offer an inferior level of protection and can cause breathing issues. Fortunately, your dentist can easily fit you for a mouth guard designed for comfortable easy breathing and maximum protection for your teeth. This is especially important for athletes with braces!

If you have braces, you should not chew gum or sticky foods. It’s also a good idea to keep some orthodontic wax on hand. If you do damage a wire or a bracket on your braces, you can cover it with the wax to keep from injuring your cheek.

Grinding your teeth at night can cause fractures, alignment issues and even injure your jaw muscles. In a situation like this you should talk to your dentist about being fitted for a night guard.

If you have questions regarding things you can do to reduce the chances of suffering an oral injury or dental emergency, please feel free to call us at 269-964-7660 to set up an appointment. Dr. L.C. Chilimigras is happy to address any questions or concerns you have pertaining to your oral care. So, swing by Lakeview Dental Care today and make an appointment.