Accidental bumps, bruises, and injuries are bound to happen. They can happen when your child is roughhousing with their siblings, riding a bike, participating in a sport, jumping on the trampoline, playing tag at school, climbing on the jungle gym, and so forth. One or a few of these accidents may even include a dental emergency.
While not every dental emergency is preventable, there are few steps you can take to reduce your child’s risk of experiencing one:
- Maintain At-Home Oral Hygiene Care
Helping your child develop positive at-home oral care habits early will have a lasting impact on their dental health! Plus, dental emergencies like a severe toothache or swollen gums are avoidable by performing daily oral hygiene care. For young children, usually under 5-6 years old, you will need to brush their teeth until they develop the manual dexterity and attention to detail for brushing properly on their own.
- Use a Mouthguard for Protection
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it can still be damaged by trauma to the head. If your child plays sports or participates in activities that could involve contact with the ground, equipment, or other people, a pediatric mouthguard is highly recommended to help prevent a cracked, chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth. Our pediatric mouthguards are custom-created to fit comfortably in your child’s mouth and provide optimal protection.
- Consume Sugary Treats in Moderation
Chugging fruit juice and grazing on heavily processed and sugary snacks throughout the day increases your child’s risk of dental disease. Help your child consume a balanced diet, with sugary treats in moderation. Encourage water whenever possible and healthy snacks like nuts, apple slices with nut butter, string cheese, low-sugar yogurt, homemade smoothies, and veggies with hummus.
Preventive Dental Care at Storybook Smiles
One of the best ways to avoid an emergency dental visit is to keep up with regular dental visits. At Storybook Smiles in Tyler, TX, we can help your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong with our preventive services, like teeth cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and custom mouthguards. Contact us today to schedule your child’s next appointment!
