Urgent dental issues can strike at any time – including during your summer vacation. Naturally, the last thing you want is to bring your family’s fun to a screeching halt because you need to make an emergency dental appointment. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to make dental problems less likely to happen. Make sure you’re following these 5 tips for keeping your smile safe during the summer.
1. Visit Your Dentist Before Any Big Trips
If you’re planning a family trip that will take you out of town for a while, you should make time to visit your dentist first. That way, you can have any existing dental problems identified and treated so that they don’t lead to more serious issues during your vacation.
Seeing your dentist before your trip can be especially important if you’re traveling overseas. It can be difficult to get the care your smile needs when you’re in an unfamiliar country, so it’s better to have your dental issues taken care of now.
2. Choose Snacks That Are Good for Your Mouth
While ice cream and candy are common summer favorites, it’s better not to indulge in them too often for the sake of your teeth. Instead, you should try to eat more snacks that are beneficial for your oral health. Some examples of dentist-approved foods include yogurt, cheese, celery, carrots, and apples.
3. Be Diligent About Oral Hygiene
You might find yourself breaking away from your regular routine during your summer vacation, but you should never forget to practice good oral hygiene. Put a reminder on your phone so that you don’t forget to brush and floss. Also, when you’re getting ready for a trip, make sure that you always pack your oral hygiene supplies.
4. Wear a Mouthguard If You Play Sports
Accidents while playing sports can often lead to dental emergencies. If you play any kind of sport during the summer, make sure that you’re wearing a mouthguard that can help keep your teeth safe in the event of an accident.
5. Put Together an Emergency Dental Kit Just in Case
Sometimes accidents can occur despite your best efforts, so you should make sure you’re prepared for the worst-case scenario by putting together an emergency dental kit. It should include necessities such as gauze, saline solution, a small container, a handkerchief, and an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen. You should also make sure it contains your dentist’s phone number; after all, if a dental emergency does occur, you’ll want to be professionally treated as soon as you can!
About the Author
Dr. Ray Bollin has been regularly named by his peers as one of America’s Top Dentists. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and holds membership with the American Dental Association. He is happy to set up same-day appointments if any of his patients need emergency care. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Bollin at Sunset Avenue Dental in Springdale, visit his website or call (479) 419-9991.