Nothing ruins a Christmas carol faster than a cracked tooth from grandma's famous peanut brittle. While the holidays are filled with sweet treats and seasonal traditions, they can also bring unexpected dental surprises. Let's unwrap some tips to keep your smile bright and know what to do if a dental disaster strikes during the festivities.
Common Holiday Dental Emergencies
Broken. Cracked, or Chipped Teeth — The holidays bring plenty of hard, crunchy foods that can damage your teeth. Think whole nuts, peanut brittle, candy canes, olive pits, and popcorn kernels in holiday snack mixes.
- Save any broken pieces
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Call us before reaching for more eggnog
Lost Crowns or Fillings — Sticky seasonal treats like caramel apples, toffee, gummy candies, and pecan pies are the biggest offenders.
- Remove the restoration from your mouth immediately
- Keep the crown or filling in a clean container
- Clean the affected tooth area by gently rinsing it with warm water
- Use sugarless gum to cover and protect the exposed area
- Call our Wilmington emergency dental office
Preventing Holiday Dental Disasters
Stay merry and bright with these preventive tips at holiday gatherings:
- Keep our emergency dental number in your phone
- Avoid using teeth as tools for opening packages or bottles
- Don’t chew ice from your holiday cocktails
- Pack a travel-sized dental kit for holiday gatherings
- Chew sugar-free gum after meals to neutralize cavity-causing acids
Call Us with Your Holiday Dental Emergency
Remember, our emergency dentist in Wilmington, DE, is always available to take your call, even during the holidays. Some dental emergencies, such as a lost filling or chipped tooth, can wait a day or two; however, if you are in severe pain, we want to know about it right away.
So, save our number, follow these tips, and know that if something does go wrong, we're here to help restore your holiday smile.
