The summer is finally here! Do you plan to head to the beach or travel to other new and fun places to celebrate the warmer weather? If so, you’ll need to take some precautions to ensure you have a good time and avoid problems like dental emergencies. After all, the last thing you want to deal with is a toothache, damaged tooth, or other oral issue when you should be enjoying your well-deserved time off. Keep reading to learn 5 tips to prevent dental emergencies in Pittsburgh from a dentist who’s treated plenty of them already!
Follow the Rules at the Pool
Pool accidents are some of the most common causes of tooth-related injuries. For example, not only is it easy to hit the concrete ledge of the pool and break or loosen front teeth, but slipping on pool decks or diving into shallow water can lead to serious accidents. To keep your family protected, go over a list of rules to follow any time they are at the pool. This includes no running, pushing, and only diving in designated areas. Remain present with your kids while they swim, especially if there is no lifeguard on duty.
Make Sure Your Active Loved Ones are Safe
Being active in summer can be fun and healthy, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your smile in the process. If you or a loved one enjoys playing contact sports where the risk for injury is high, such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, or a similar activity, make sure they have a custom mouthguard.
Purchase Healthy Summer Snacks
It’s important to eat healthy snacks all year, but there are many worth considering during the summer season in particular! For example, seasonal fruits like watermelon, berries, peaches, cherries and grapes are flavorful and thirst-quenching alternatives to cookies and candies. Opt for plain water and fruit-infused beverages instead of drinking soda and sports drinks when possible. Plain yogurt and cheeses are also great to keep on hand.
Stay on Top of Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is one of the leading causes of dental emergencies, even more so than sports injuries! Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you should let your oral hygiene go by the wayside. Be sure you have all your most important oral care products packed and ready to go, including your toothbrush, toothpaste, and oral rinse if you use it. Have a dedicated time for when you perform your routine so you don’t forget.
Schedule Summer Checkups Regularly
Be sure to get a checkup scheduled before you head out of town, especially if you have dental benefits to use. Regular exams and cleanings are one of the best ways to prevent dental emergencies because they give dentists an opportunity to catch the early signs of problems before they can turn into urgent concerns, whether they be tooth decay or gum disease.
Prevention is key with many things in life, and dental emergencies are no exception. However, it’s especially important during the summertime when you plan to be more active!
About Warwick Dentistry
Dr. Joyce and John Warwick carry a combined 30 years of experience in dentistry, including in the treatment of dental emergencies like toothaches, fractured enamel, infections and more. While they take many precautions to help patients prevent dental emergencies period, they also offer same-day care for those in need of quick relief. To schedule an appointment, you can contact them through their website.