Are you counting down the days until your vacation? Whether you’re planning on traveling abroad for an adventurous trip or thinking of staying local for some much-needed R&R, the last thing you want is a toothache, loose dental crown, or another tooth-related injury to ruin your fun. With this in mind, keep reading to learn four tips to prevent dental emergencies this summer!
#1. Schedule Your Bi-Yearly Dental Appointment Beforehand
Between packing your suitcase, booking hotel reservations, and everything else that needs to get done before your vacation, you may feel like you have a seemingly endless list of to-dos. However, don’t forget to add visiting your dentist to that list! Scheduling your six-month checkup before your trip will ensure any dental problems, like a cavity, don’t get in the way of your fun in the sun. Plus, a thorough cleaning will remove stubborn surface stains, leaving you with a bright, beautiful smile for your vacation!
#2. Stick Mostly to Mouth-Healthy Snacks
Vacation is all about relaxing, getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and enjoying all the city has to offer. As a result, you may be tempted to fill your days with blended coffees, local candies, and late-night ice cream runs. Unfortunately, sugary, sticky, and crunchy foods can do serious damage to your teeth and gums. Therefore, it’s a good idea to fill up on mouth-healthy foods too, like fresh fruits and cooked veggies.
#3. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Although your schedule will be more relaxed on vacation, your oral hygiene regimen shouldn’t. Neglecting to brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with mouthwash regularly will lead to dental problems, like tooth decay. In short, your summer activities will result in potentially painful fall cavities. So, don’t skip your dental care regimen while on vacation.
#4. Pack an Emergency Dental Kit
While dental emergencies aren’t entirely preventable, there is a way to make them much less anxiety-inducing: preparation. With this in mind, make sure to pack a bag with floss, pain-relief medication, Orajel, and other staples in case a tooth-related injury arises. You should also pack your dentist’s office number and research a few local dentists if you are away from home. That way, you can get the treatment you need and get back to enjoying your summer vacation!
About the Author
Although Dr. Cale Beasley’s father was a dentist, it wasn’t until he worked as a dental assistant that he truly realized his love for the field of dentistry! For him, helping nervous patients relax and providing exceptional care is extremely rewarding. It was this passion that led him to earn his dental doctorate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Today, he has completed advanced training in everything from comprehensive restorative dentistry to tooth extractions. So, if you find yourself in the middle of a dental emergency or simply need to schedule your six-month checkup and cleaning, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team via our website or by phone at 303-794-1707.