There’s never a good time for a dental emergency, but could you imagine if one happened during your summer vacation? Although you might not believe you’re at risk, 1 in 6 Americans requires urgent dental care annually. While you can’t completely prevent dental emergencies, you can take several steps to safeguard your smile. Here are 5 tips to avoid an unplanned trip to your dentist during your vacation.
1. Don’t Forget About Your Oral Hygiene
If you’re not at home, it’s easy for your daily routines to be interrupted. You might forget certain steps, like brushing your teeth before bed. You don’t want to overlook your oral hygiene, even if you’re only going to be away from home for a few days. Pack a travel kit containing your oral hygiene essentials to make it easy to brush and floss while on vacation.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
You’ll be surrounded by many tasty treats and tempting meals which might cause you to indulge in an unhealthy diet a little more than usual. Since you may not be able to get to your toothbrush as often as you’d like, it’s important to drink plenty of water. It will rinse food particles and bacteria from your mouth in between brushing and flossing. You’ll also stay hydrated to feel your best while you’re traveling.
3. Visit Your Dentist
Many dental emergencies are caused by an underlying oral health problem, like tooth decay. A simple trip to your dentist before you leave can help you avoid a toothache or another complication while you’re away. Your dentist will clean your teeth and look for any dental concerns that might turn into a big problem down the road. They’ll ensure you have a healthy smile, so you have one less thing to worry about.
4. Watch What You Eat
Besides sugary and starchy foods, you’ll want to avoid a couple of other snacks, too. It’s best to skip overly hard foods to lessen the risk of a break or fracture. You’ll also want to pass over any sticky foods that might dislodge previous dental work, like a filling.
5. Practice Pool Safety
Pool-related accidents are common during the summer, especially for children. A broken or lost tooth can happen quickly from running on a wet deck or bumping your mouth on a pool ledge. Your dentist recommends following pool safety rules to lessen the potential of an oral health emergency while taking a dip.
Enjoy a Healthy Summer Smile
If you have a dental emergency despite your precautions, don’t wait until you get home to get the care you need. Contact a local dentist for treatment to save your smile.
About Dr. Kenneth Endres
Dr. Endres has over 40 years of experience in dentistry. Not only has he earned his dental degree, but he has also completed advanced training in restorative dentistry, oral surgery, sedation dentistry, and endodontics. He has the qualifications you can trust to treat dental emergencies. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.