Avoiding Dental Emergencies on Summer Vacation

Dental emergencies can strike at any time, and summer vacation is no exception to that. There are all kinds of ways in which you or your family could potentially wind up with serious issues—thankfully, just being conscious of these risks can make you safer.

If you’re wondering, here are a few ways to both prevent and deal with dental emergencies over summer vacation.

Stay Safe at the Pool

As much fun as it can be to cool down at the pool, most of the dental emergencies that happen over summer vacation take place there. For that reason, it’s important to encourage your family to follow the pool’s rules as much as possible.

Kids should avoid running around the pool or on diving surfaces, as it’s possible for them to slip if it’s wet. It’s also smart to give your kids goggles so that they don’t accidentally run into walls (or other children) while swimming.

Get a Dental Emergency Kit

If an emergency does happen, you can improve the chances of being able to save a tooth by preparing a dental emergency kit. Here are a few things you may want to put in a kit like that.

• Local Dentist’s Contact Information
• Gauze
• Cotton Swab
• Saline Solution
• Small Container to Hold a Tooth That’s Fallen Out
• Disinfectant Wipes
• OTC Pain Relievers, or Topical Anesthetics

Watch What You Eat

One of the highlights of the summer season for people is the food. Summer barbecues and ice cream trucks are always lots of fun, but if you aren’t careful, they can also cause dental emergencies.

For one, biting into bone-in ribs can potentially cause you to chip a tooth, lose a restoration, or even have an incisor come out if you aren’t careful. The same goes for chicken wings and popsicle sticks, both of which can be too hard to chew up.

While it’s fine to indulge in these things, you should consider carefully how you do so. You may try pulling meat off the bone before you eat it, or swapping popsicles for soft serve.

About the Author

Dr. Mahima Gupta absolutely loves her work, and her patients can see that in the quality of care she provides. For her, dentistry is the perfect mix of art and science, and she relishes being able to use her skills to help people. Dr. Gupta initially completed dental school in India, then studied at the NYU College of Dentistry upon moving to the U.S. Today she is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, an honor earned by less than 6% of dentists in the U.S.

If you have any questions about dental emergencies, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (469) 729-7707.