Tips From a Children’s Dentist to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Your children’s teeth need to last a lifetime, and a children’s dentist can help with that. The right way to prevent damage to the teeth is to stop an emergency from happening. There are several steps you can take to lower the chances of an emergency. Helping your kids swap poor habits for good ones is a starting point.

Having a good diet

A minor cavity can quickly become a bigger toothache and require costly and extensive treatment. In severe cases, an untreated toothache can cause a severe infection called an abscess. That is why it is better to prevent decay from ever happening. Having a diet that is healthy for the mouth is an important step for children.

Parents should have children stop eating so many sugary foods. Beverages such as energy drinks and fruit juices should go. It is also better for children to avoid sugary candy, cereal, ice cream, and other such foods. It is all right to indulge every once in a while, but this should not become a habit. A children’s dentist might recommend having these beverages through a straw. That will direct it past the teeth and to the throat.

Hard foods can also be harmful and cause a dental emergency. Children should not bite down on hard items, like ice, nuts, or popcorn kernels. That can cause the teeth to break or chip. The child should also avoid using the teeth to open bags or chew on other things.

Have children use mouthguards

Some sports are high-contact, like football or martial arts. This can cause a tooth to become knocked out or injured. That can be a common kind of accident, so parents should always have a child use a mouthguard. A children’s dentist can make a customized mouthguard for use during contact sports.

The teeth might even become injured while the child sleeps. Some people grind the teeth during the night, and this is called bruxism. Grinding the teeth can wear out the enamel, particularly for children whose teeth are still developing. That can result in chips in some cases. The good news is that a children’s dentist can also make a nightguard.

Having good oral hygiene

If the tooth becomes severely decayed, it might need to have a root canal or even be extracted. The good news is that this can be avoided with the right oral care. Parents should help children to brush at least twice a day. A toothpaste with fluoride should be used for this since it can help to strengthen the teeth. The teeth should be brushed for at least two minutes and then flossed.

Visit a children’s dentist today

There are many ways that you can help your child to prevent emergencies at home. But a children’s dentist can also help you take more steps to avoid situations. That includes determining the need for a nightguard. The first step is to make an appointment with a children’s dentist today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dental Care in Middletown, NY.