Did you know that 44% of women and 51% of men say they don’t brush their teeth twice a day? Plus, an additional 50% of U.S. adults don’t floss daily and 48% don’t visit the dentist at least once a year. While poor habits like these can lead to significant dental issues, like cavities and gum disease, it is important to note that they can affect your overall health as well. In fact, decades of research have found that poor oral care can weaken your immune system and leave you vulnerable to conditions like heart and lung disease. Therefore, a dentist is sharing how your dental care impacts your health, as well as six good dental habits to start today.

On a typical summer evening, heading to your local theatre to watch the newest movie would be a must. In light of the current pandemic, you decide an at-home movie night will do the trick. After setting up your TV, dimming the lights, and popping a fresh bag of popcorn (with butter!), you plop down on your couch for a relaxing night ahead. But before the opening credits are over, your teeth come down hard on a rogue kernel and you immediately feel pain stemming from your mouth. Goodbye movie night, hello dentist!

To prevent this from happening to you, read on for common dental emergencies, as well as prevention and treatment options.