Wear a mouthguard when playing sports to protect against trauma to the teeth, gums, soft tissue and supporting bones. Sports related injuries range from tooth loss to lacerated gums and jaw fractures.

Avoid chewing hard or sticky objects that can chip or crack your teeth. Eating ice cubes, hard or chewy candy or using your teeth to break or open things, are just some of the ways you can damage your teeth.

Practice good dental hygiene. Brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly and eat a balanced diet to minimize your risk of dental disease.

Visit your dentist regularly and tell them if you are experiencing any pain. Catching dental issues early can help to prevent a dental emergency and more complex treatment.

If you experience a dental injury contact your dentist immediately.

Also review the Patient Dental Emergency Resource Package (PDF) to learn more about dental emergencies.