Good oral health is important for your overall health and wellbeing
Maintain a good diet
Brush your teeth and floss regularly
Visit a dentist for regular dental care
Look after your baby’s first teeth
Stop smoking
Limit the amount of alcohol and soft drinks you consume
Drink lots of water
Think twice about oral piercings as these can lead to infection and tooth damage
If you play a sport where there is risk of injury to your teeth, wear a mouthguard
Sometimes accidents involving your teeth can happen. These first-aid tips increase the chances of keeping your teeth after dental injuries.
See the dentist as soon as you can. In the meantime:
If the tooth cannot be re-inserted into its socket:
Do not:
Do not try to put it back in its socket, as this may damage the adult tooth that is developing under it. Seek advice or treatment from your dentist or the dental therapist.
Broken or chipped teeth are the most common dental injury. It is important to protect broken teeth to prevent infection developing inside the tooth, which can lead to abscess. See your dentist as soon as you can. They can give you a protective covering over the broken tooth or a filling to replace the missing part.
If the broken fragment is available, bring it with you to the dentist. They will decide if it can be used to repair the tooth.
Sometimes an injury can lead to a tooth moving out of place. This may be obvious is the tooth is pushed backwards or hanging out. Other times, it may be less obvious. If you’re having trouble closing your teeth together in a normal position, it’s possible that a tooth may be displaced.
See your dentist as soon as you can.
Putting the displaced tooth back into its normal position as soon as possible gives it the best chance of surviving, and reduces complications and the need for further treatment later.