We’re big fans of the motto, ‘prevention is better than cure’ and we encourage all our patients to follow some simple steps to try and reduce the risk of dental injury and protect those pearly whites. Sometimes, accidents and injuries are inevitable but often, taking a few precautions here and there can really make a difference. here are some top tips to avoid dental injuries:
- Always wear a seatbelt: it’s illegal not to wear a seatbelt in the UK and you should always have your belt fastened if you are driving or are the passenger in a moving vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt helps to prevent life-threatening injuries, such as head injuries, and it will also help to protect your teeth.
- Wear a mouth guard when playing sport: sporting activities are among the leading causes of dental injuries, so make sure you are wearing a protective mouth guard if you are playing a sport. Even if you just like to throw a ball around from time to time, it’s advisable to invest in a gum shield as you never know when an accident may occur. We strongly advise wearing a mouth guard for the following sports:
- boxing and kickboxing
- martial arts
- wrestling
- rugby league
- rugby union
- hockey
- ice hockey
- lacrosse
- Take care when eating hard foods: take extra care when biting down on hard sweets, chewy toffees and foods such as popcorn, which may contain hard pieces.
- See your dentist for regular check-ups: your risk of injury will be heightened if your teeth are damaged or weak and seeing your dentist will help to reduce the risk of these problems. Ideally, we recommend six-monthly check-ups.
- Don’t use your teeth for anything they’re not designed for! One of the most common causes of chips and breaks is using the teeth to try and open bottles and other objects. Resist the temptation to use your teeth in this way to avoid injuries and prevent unexpected trips to the dentist.
Tags: contact sports dental injuries, Dental emergency Central Leeds, Dental emergency Leeds, Dental Injuries Leeds
