A dental emergency can be extremely disruptive to your life. A fun afternoon at the park can turn into a painful event if you experience an injury to your teeth. A relaxing weekend can be ruined when a painful toothache shows up at the worst possible time. It is good to know what to do in case of a dental emergency but it is much better to takes precautions that will help you prevent an emergency from occurring in the first place. You cannot plan for every single possibility but there are some things you can do to minimize your risk for a dental emergency.

Wear protective gear during high-risk activities

Being active is good for your body and your mind. However, many sporting activities come with an increased risk of injury. There are many dental emergencies that occur during games and recreational events. You can lower your risk of having a dental emergency when you decide to get active by wearing the appropriate type of protective gear. Examples of protective gear include mouth guards, face guards, and helmets. The right type of protective gear will depend on the activity you are engaging in. It can be annoying to take the time to get and use the correct protective gear but it is well worth the annoyance if it protects you from experiencing a dental emergency.

Keep your teeth healthy with a balanced diet

Some dental emergencies occur because teeth are unhealthy. For example, a diet that is poor in nutrition can weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to damage and injury. You can maximize the health of your teeth by eating a healthy diet that includes calcium and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. And, as an added bonus, your balanced diet will improve your physical health as well.

Protect your teeth with routine dental care

Routine dental care can help protect you from a dental emergency. During your routine dental appointments, your teeth get cleaned and examined for signs of problems. You can catch issues early and get treatment if you are consistent with routine dental care. This can prevent a small cavity from turning into a serious toothache at the worst possible time. In fact, your dentist can typically spot the first signs of a cavity before it starts causing you pain. The official recommendation is to see your dentist twice per year for routine dental care.

No one wants to experience a painful dental emergency. You can be proactive in protecting against dental emergencies by always wearing the appropriate protective gear, eating a balanced diet, and keeping up with routine dental appointments. There are some dental emergencies that are simply not preventable. In those situations, it is important to know your dentist’s emergency policy and have the contact information you need should an emergency arise.