Skip a Holiday Trip to an Emergency Dentist in Jacksonville

The holiday season is all about spending quality time with friends and family – not with an emergency dentist in Jacksonville. However, whether you slip and fall while ice skating or are elbowed in the mouth by an aggressive Black Friday shopper, accidents can happen when you least expect them. Do you know what steps to take to help stay injury-free during the festive period? Here is an essential guide on how to prevent common dental injuries.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is a serious accident or injury that results in:

• A fractured or chipped tooth
• A tooth knocked completely loose
• Lacerated gums or other soft tissues in the mouth
• Broken dental work (a crown, bridge, filling, etc.)
• Other severe injuries to the teeth or mouth

Should you experience a dental emergency, your first step should always be to call an emergency dentist right away. If left untreated, injuries to the mouth can lead to serious health complications.

How to Prevent Dental Trauma

While there is no full-proof way to prevent a dental emergency during the holiday season, there are simple precautions you can take to reduce the chances of hurting your mouth. Some tips from a dentist in Jacksonville to avoid dental injuries include:

• Avoid Hard Foods – Chewing on hard foods like candy canes, popcorn kernels, or ice cubes can easily lead to a cracked tooth
• Wear a Protective Mouthguard – Protect your teeth when ice skating or playing ice hockey or other contact sports
• Use Scissors to Open – Never use your teeth to tear open packages, including presents!

How to Maintain a Healthy Smile During the Holidays

The holiday season also poses a threat to your oral health simply because of all the sweets and other non-nutritious snacks commonly consumed this time of year that can contribute to tooth decay. Here are some tips from the American Dental Association to keep in mind while you are perusing the holiday dessert table:

• Avoid Sticky Foods – Because sticky, sugary foods like candy canes tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food, they can more easily damage your teeth.
• Stay Hydrated – If you are a big fan of eggnog, be sure to keep a bottle of water nearby. Too much alcohol can dry out your mouth, making it more susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria.
• Don’t Forget to Floss – Snacking on chips and other starchy foods can result in lots of tiny food particles leftover in your mouth. Take extra care to floss before going to bed in order to remove the tiny bits of food and prevent plaque build-up.

While dental injuries cannot always be prevented, following the above advice can help ensure you maintain a happy, healthy smile throughout the holiday season!

About the Author

Patients in northeastern Florida know they can turn to Dr. Sol. G. Brotman for emergency dental care. The longtime Jacksonville resident has lectured to national meetings on facial pain and regularly treats veterans who have chronic head and neck pain through the Veteran’s Administration Project Hero. For more advice on how to avoid dental injuries, contact Dr. Brotman via his website or by calling the office at 904-396-4091.