How to Avoid a Holiday Dental Emergency

The holidays can be full of surprises, but we hope a dental emergency is not one of them for you this season! If you’re taking time off or traveling during the holidays, the last thing you want to worry about is having to make an unexpected trip to the dentist’s office. Here are some tips to avoid a holiday dental emergency.

Avoid Hard Foods

Many dental emergencies involve broken restorations or a knocked-out permanent tooth. If you have sensitive teeth or restorations like crowns, implants, dentures, or veneers, you should steer clear of biting down on hard and chewy candy, crusty bread, and ice.

Pack Your Dental Supplies

If you’re traveling, make sure to bring your soft-bristled toothbrush or your electric toothbrush and charger, toothpaste, floss, floss threaders and dental wax if you have braces, and other dental tools relevant to your oral care routine (such as a water flosser or a special mouthrinse). Don’t take a vacation from your daily oral hygiene! If you don’t brush and floss your teeth, you increase your risk of tooth decay and gum infection.

See a Dentist Before About Any Issues

Schedule an appointment with your dentist before the holiday season to take care of any tooth pain or sensitivity. Then you can relax and enjoy your holiday plans pain-free.

Don’t Bite Down on Non-Food Items

You might be excited to tear into your gifts, but don’t bite down on anything that isn’t food. Hard plastics, wood, and metal can all instantly damage your teeth, so be sure to use your hands or scissors to open up your gifts and packages.

Drink Plenty of Water

Don’t overdo it on the sugar, alcohol, and hot cocoa. Excessive consumption will increase your risk of tooth decay and infection. Drink plenty of water to help wash away sugar and bacteria from your teeth during the times you do indulge your sweet tooth.

Wear a Mouthguard If You’re Playing Sports

If you’re interested in playing contact sports during the holidays, like ice hockey or football, make sure you wear a mouthguard and proper headgear to protect your teeth and jaws.

Emergency Dentist in Denver, CO

While the above tips can help reduce your risk of a holiday dental emergency, sometimes the unexpected still occurs. If you do experience a dental emergency, call our team at Vero Dental for emergency dentistry. We accept a variety of payment options to help make your experience as stress-free as possible. Learn more on our financial page!

Categorized in: Dental Emergency, Dental Tips