Whether you slip and fall while hanging up holiday lights or crack a tooth on a hard piece of candy from your stocking, dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them – even during the festive holiday season. Some minor emergencies can be temporarily treated at home, while more serious cases require urgent dental care. How do you know when to seek immediate treatment? Here is a helpful guide on what to do if a dental emergency occurs over the holidays.
When to Treat Yourself at Home
If you are suffering from a painful toothache, rinse your mouth and tooth with warm water to clean the area. Next, take over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce any pain.
Cuts inside the mouth can often seem worse than they really are because of heavy bleeding. If you bite or otherwise cut the tissues around your teeth and tongue, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
If a cavity filling or crown comes loose during the holidays, you can use dental adhesive or cement to fill the exposed area until you can see a dentist. Over-the-counter temporary filling kits can be found at your local pharmacy.
When You Should See an Emergency Dentist
Many serious dental emergencies merit urgent dental care as soon as possible. For example, if you have a tooth knocked out or severely cracked, you should contact an emergency dentist in Pasadena right away. In most cases, they will be able to fit you in the same day to treat your emergency.
Your dentist will also be able to instruct you over the phone on immediate steps you can take before you even leave for the dentist’s office. For example, if your tooth is knocked out, you should try to place the tooth back in its original socket without touching the tooth roots. If you cannot, place the tooth in a secure container of milk and head straight to the dentist.
How to Prevent Dental Trauma
There are some simple precautions you can take to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a dental emergency this holiday season, such as:
- Avoid Hard Foods – Chewing on hard foods like candy canes, popcorn kernels, or ice cubes can easily crack your teeth.
- Wear Protection – Protect your teeth with a mouthguard when sledding, ice skating or playing contact sports this winter.
- Don’t Use Your Mouth as a Tool – Whether a present from under the tree or a bag of chips, never use your teeth to tear open packages. Grab the scissors instead!
- Regularly Visit a Dentist in Pasadena – Biannual dental checkups and professional cleanings are a critical part of maintaining good oral health and preventing small issues from developing into dental emergencies.
Follow the advice above to enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season with your family, friends and loved ones! And remember, if you are ever in doubt about needing urgent dental care – no matter the time of year – do not hesitate to call an emergency dentist in Pasadena.
About the Author
Dr. Kimber Holmes has over 20 years of experience providing quality dental care to patients in Pasadena. She and her colleagues at Pasadena Family Dentistry are equipped to handle everything from routine dental checkups to unexpected dental emergencies. Patients new and old can learn more about Dr. Holmes by visiting the Pasadena Family Dentistry website or calling 713-946-5171.