Now that school’s out, your family may be getting ready to go on a summer trip. Every detail, from day-to-day activities down to each outfit, is typically planned out. But are you prepared to handle a dental emergency? Most people believe they’re not at risk, but accidents can happen unexpectedly in the blink of an eye. Read along for a few tips to prevent dental emergencies from derailing your plans for adventure.
Schedule Dentist Appointments
If you know your family will be leaving for a lengthy vacation over the summer, consider making dentist appointments for everyone right after school gets out. A checkup allows your dentist to detect or treat any problems that can cause an emergency down the road. Kicking off summer with a healthy smile makes it less likely for an underlying issue to become a serious complication on your travels.
Encourage Healthy Snacking
Limit your family’s consumption of sugary and acidic foods to prevent tooth decay. Instead, pack plenty of nutritious snacks in your travel bag, like fruits, cheese, nuts, yogurt, carrots, and celery. These healthy options are much easier for children to grab while on the go.
Practice Safe Swimming
There’s nothing more refreshing than going for a dip at your local pool on a hot summer day. But did you know that swimming pool accidents are the leading cause of dental emergencies? A chipped, broken, or lost tooth can happen quickly from running on a slippery deck or diving into shallow water. Brush up on pool safety at the beginning of summer, and make sure your kids always follow safe practices!
Require Mouthguards
Like swimming, several other summer sports can also lead to mouth injuries. Basketball, football, and biking are just a few that can result in broken or chipped teeth and cut lips. Luckily, you can prevent these accidents by wearing a mouthguard. This device protects your teeth from impact and lowers your chances of severe damage. Mouthguards can be purchased at any sports goods store or ordered from your dentist.
Pack a Dental First Aid Kit
Even though there are many ways to protect your smile from harm, you can’t completely prevent dental emergencies. Be prepared to handle these unsettling situations by packing a first aid kit that includes:
- A clean handkerchief
- Gauze
- Saline solution
- A clean, sealable container
- Your dental insurance card
- Your dentist’s office and emergency phone numbers
While on vacation, remind your family to take proper precautions to keep their teeth safe. Following these tips ensures everyone can enjoy and maintain a beautiful, healthy summer smile.
About the Practice
At Prime Dentistry, you can look forward to a warm, friendly atmosphere and stress-free dental experience every single time. We serve patients of all ages and provide comprehensive services so the entire family can receive care in one convenient location. Before you go on vacation, schedule a preventive visit for each family member to help avoid dental emergencies while away. Contact us via our website or call (940) 514-0333.
