How to Prevent Dental Emergencies – Lake Havasu City, AZ

The American Dental Association recommends that people of all ages attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least twice a year. The purpose of these preventive visits is twofold: a hygienist removes built-up plaque that causes cavities and infections, and one of our dentists examines your mouth to detect early warning signs of problems that could turn into emergencies later on.

Heavily processed foods are chock full of sugars and carbohydrates that attract dangerous bacteria. When particles from these foods stick to your teeth, bacteria feed on them and create an acidic waste product that can erode your tooth enamel and cause cavities. It’s a good idea to limit sugar consumption and focus on healthier alternatives. For instance, chewing on fresh vegetables like celery and carrots naturally scrubs your teeth clean and helps you produce more saliva that washes away lingering sugar particles and bacteria.

It can be tempting to open stubborn packaging with your teeth instead of walking all the way across the house to get the scissors. However, your teeth were not designed to handle anything other than chewing. Using them to open packages places undue stress on them, which can lead to painful fractures. Save yourself from that discomfort by reaching for the appropriate tool instead.