How to Stay Proactive with Your Oral Health
When it comes to oral health, small habits can make a tremendous difference.
Tooth decay, gum disease, and dental emergencies often begin with minor, preventable issues. By staying organized and proactive, you can avoid unnecessary pain, reduce dental bills, and protect your smile for years to come.
These practical tips will help you build daily routines that keep your teeth and gums healthy, and ensure you're prepared in case an urgent dental need arises.
Keep Toothpaste and Brushes Stocked (Buy in Bulk)
Few things are more frustrating than realizing you're out of toothpaste or that your toothbrush is frayed beyond use.
Skipping brushing because you ran out of supplies quickly leads to plaque buildup and cavities.
Buying dental essentials like toothpaste, floss, and extra brushes in bulk saves money and ensures you're never caught without them. Keep your extra stock in a bathroom cabinet or closet where the whole family can easily find it.
This single habit can prevent countless missed brushing sessions.
Keep Travel-Size Materials in Backpacks and Purses
Life doesn't always run on a perfect schedule, and sometimes, you may be away from home longer than expected.
A small dental kit in your bag means you're prepared to freshen up after meals or snacks, no matter where you are.
Travel-size toothpaste, a foldable toothbrush, and a small roll of floss can easily fit in a purse, backpack, or even your car's glove compartment. Remember to replace these every few months to keep them clean and fresh.
Drink Water Throughout the Day
Water is one of the simplest and most effective tools for maintaining oral health. It helps wash away food particles, prevents dry mouth, and supports saliva production: your mouth's natural defense against bacteria.
Carrying a reusable water bottle makes it easy to stay hydrated all day. Aim for plain water instead of sugary drinks to avoid feeding cavity-causing bacteria.
As a bonus, water is excellent for your overall health, too.
Set Reminders to Schedule a Routine Dental Appointment
Life gets busy, and it's easy to let dental checkups slip through the cracks. Unfortunately, missing regular cleanings can allow small problems to turn into big ones.
Before leaving your dentist's office, schedule your next visit immediately. If that's not possible, set a phone reminder for a month before your due date.
Regular checkups allow your dentist to catch issues early, before they require urgent or costly treatment. (While we are not a general dentist, we strongly encourage you to find one that you respect and trust).
Make Brushing and Flossing a Family Routine
Oral care is more effective when it's consistent, and that goes for the whole family.
Brushing and flossing together can help children learn healthy habits and encourage adults to stay on track.
Turn it into a fun family event by using timers, playing music, or keeping a sticker chart for younger kids. The more enjoyable it is, the more likely everyone will stick to it.
Plan Out Healthy Meals and Snacks
Sugary and acidic foods are among the biggest culprits for tooth decay.
Planning meals and snacks can help reduce the temptation to grab candy, soda, or other high-sugar treats.
Include tooth-friendly options like cheese, yogurt, nuts, crunchy vegetables, and fresh fruit. These satisfy hunger and provide nutrients that support strong teeth and gums.
Have Protective Gear Ready for Sports Season
Whether it's football, basketball, hockey, or baseball, sports can put teeth at risk. One bad fall, collision, or ball to the face can cause a cracked or knocked-out tooth (if not worse).
Invest in a good-quality mouthguard before the season starts. A custom mouthguard from your dentist offers the best fit and protection, but even store-bought ones are better than nothing.
Keep extras on hand for kids who might lose or forget theirs: when it comes to dental health, it is much better to be safe than sorry.
Locate a Dentist and Urgent Dental Clinic in Your Area
Knowing where to go can save precious time when a dental emergency strikes. Locate a regular dentist for routine care and an urgent emergency clinic for emergencies.
Save both clinics' contact information in your phone and post it at home so the whole family knows where to turn in an emergency.
Understanding when to seek urgent care, such as for severe tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, or a broken filling, can make all the difference in preserving your smile.
Call STL Urgent Dental Today
Good oral health doesn't happen accidentally. It results from small, consistent actions and a little preparation.
By keeping your dental supplies stocked, drinking plenty of water, planning healthy meals, and knowing where to go in case of an emergency, you can prevent many common dental problems.
Our St. Louis Urgent Dental team is here to help with your urgent, after-hours dental needs!
We are open seven days a week (until 9 p.m. M—F) and treat dental emergencies, including root canals, crowns, socket grafting, extractions, implants, broken teeth, and more.
Please note that we are a "problem-focused" clinic and do not perform regular cleanings.
Our procedure pricing and other details are on
our website.
Schedule an appointment, and you'll be smiling again in no time!
