It’s all about family, parties, and celebrations throughout the holiday season. This is also the time of year when they indulge in meals and beverages that are not ordinarily eaten regularly. Dental emergencies are unfortunately more likely at this time of year. The last item on your to-do list should be a trip to the dentist for a dental emergency over the holidays. To avoid going to the dentist, follow these guidelines which are given by Pediatric Dentistry Indianapolis IN.
Nuts Should Not Be Cracked with Your Teeth
That’s why there’s a Nutcracker! This is not the moment to put your teeth to the test. Most nuts have a hard shell that may injure your teeth and gums, particularly if you have braces or other dental disorders.
Use Equipment While Opening Packages and Bottles
Your teeth were designed to bite into and chew meals. It’s not a good idea to open packages, bottles, or bite onto fishing lines or thread. You may chip or fracture your teeth, necessitating dental repair, root canal therapy, or crowning. This may be both unpleasant and expensive. Instead of reaching for a bottle opener or scissors, the ideal option is to reach for a bottle opener or scissors.
Hard Sweets Should Not Be Chewed
Chewing on hard candies or ice cubes may cause cracked or broken teeth, which can be uncomfortable. From candy canes to peppermints, hard sweets abound around the holidays. Allow it to dissolve gently before biting into it if you’re tempted to have one. Always remember to eat in moderation.
Toothache
Start by washing your mouth many times with lukewarm saltwater. Brushing and flossing should be done after rinsing to guarantee there are no painful food particles trapped beneath your gum tissue. Apply an ice pack to the sore region on the outside of your cheek. Any discomfort may be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.
Infection
Serious infection is indicated by a swollen cheek or a visible pimple-like swelling on your gums. If left untreated, an abscess may spread to other parts of the body and become hazardous. Make an emergency dental appointment with your dentist immediately soon. In addition to over-the-counter pain medication, rinse with salt water until you can be seen to assist ease discomfort and minimize swelling.
A Tooth That Has Been Chipped or Broken
If you have a chipped, fractured, or broken tooth, try to conserve as much of the tooth as you can. Rinse your mouth with warm water, paying special attention to the tooth fragments. Apply gauze for 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops if you have persistent bleeding. Apply an ice pack to the affected region to help reduce swelling. To ease pain, use over-the-counter pain medication.
Filling
If at all possible, save any bits of a lost filling. If the missing filling has left your tooth with any sharp edges, cover the exposed region with gauze.
A Missing Tooth
Apply a cool compress to your cheek and use over-the-counter pain medicine as advised to relieve any discomfort or pain. In addition to chewing on the region where the loose tooth is situated, avoid hard or crunchy foods.
The Loss of a Dental Crown
Crowns, both permanent and temporary, may be removed. This is most prevalent while chewing, therefore try to avoid swallowing the crown if at all possible. Rinse and dry the crown thoroughly after preserving any bits. Put a dab of drugstore dental cement (or toothpaste in a pinch) into the crown and try to reattach it to the tooth.
Notify your dentist about the problem, and never use super glue or any other kind of adhesive to reattach the crown. During your emergency dental visit, your dentist will remove the crown and permanently restore it.
A Tooth That Has Been Knocked Out
Remove the tooth and carefully clean the root with water. Remove any adhering tissue but do not scrape the teeth. Always try to place the tooth in the socket with the proper side up, but never push it. Place the tooth in a cup of milk or saltwater if you can’t get it back in. Seek treatment as soon as possible since knocked-out teeth have the best chance of being preserved if they are replaced within an hour.
Avoid Chewy Snacks
Sticky chemicals adhere to tooth enamel, promoting deterioration. Certain sweets, like caramel and taffy, may pull fillings out, which can be costly to replace. A range of bright vegetables such as carrots, celery, broccoli, and sweet peppers are a great snack choice that is also good for your waistline.
Stick to Your Schedule
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day to avoid cavities in the New Year. Brushing and flossing after a carbohydrate, sugar, or heavy meal is recommended. If you don’t have time to brush or floss right away, rinse your mouth with water.
Sports and Games
During the holidays, many families participate in sports and activities. You might begin by playing a casual game of basketball or throwing around a football. Things, on the other hand, may swiftly spiral out of control. Before you know it, your family is engaged in a competitive game using elbows. When tooth guards and helmets are not used during competitive sports events, teeth may easily be knocked out. Keep the game light and entertaining as you play sports and activities with your family this holiday season to safeguard everyone from damage, including dental issues.
Care For Your Teeth and Gums Through Children’s Dentist Indianapolis IN
Finally, remember to schedule time for your dental health throughout the holidays. People are hurrying about at this time of year. It’s all too easy to forget to clean your teeth or to put off flossing for a few days. However, this is a certain way to create additional dental issues in the future. To keep your teeth as healthy as possible over the holiday season, drink lots of water during parties, restrict your sugar consumption, and brush and floss regularly.
