Holiday Skin and Dental Care
'Tis the season! Savannah Dental is looking forward to some holiday cheer - and preparing our patients to look their best for their upcoming holiday parties.
Taking good care of your teeth doesn’t mean you can’t take a vacation, especially in the summertime. If your idea of a great escape involves getting some fresh air and going off the grid, we applaud you.
While we sincerely hope a dental emergency never happens to you, we know from experience that they can cause considerable pain. If you’re on vacation somewhere where there may not be access to an emergency dental clinic, a solid emergency dental kit might be able to get you through until you’re back home.
Common dental emergencies
Naturally, we’ve seen a lot of the most common dental emergencies arise at the most inconvenient of times.
They include:
How can dental injuries occur?
Some dental injuries can be related to activities like playing sports or riding bicycles. Often, though, an everyday activity like eating a hard food can crack a tooth. As we’ll mention later, many dental injuries that we see can be prevented with regular dental care and visits.
At Savannah Dental, we have some great ideas for emergency dental kits to take with you during your summer travels.
Temporary cement in case a crown comes off
Before you head out of town, pack a tube of temporary cement for dental purposes. You should be able to find some at your local pharmacy store. It will be much easier to find it here than in a scramble while you’re out in the mountains on a Saturday night.
If a filling or crown falls out, pack the temporary cement in the hole or use it as temporary glue under a crown. This can be a major help, as it will prevent air from getting in (a painful experience). A temporary filling can also prevent the tooth from becoming sensitive to hot or cold. It will keep out food from getting into the hole that the filing left.
Clove oil to treat a toothache
In his book The History of Dentistry, Walter Hoffmann-Axthelm writes that clove oil was first referenced as a dentistry tool in the 10th century!
Clove’s main compound is called eugenol, and it has powerful pain relieving properties. When diluted with coconut oil, clove oil can even make a great treatment for teething infants.
If you have a toothache and can’t get to a dentist right away, apply a few drops of clove oil onto a Q-tip and apply it to the tooth that bothers you. Note that clove oil should not be applied to the gums undiluted as it can cause irritation. Try diluting clove oil by adding a few drops of a neutral carrier oil, like olive oil.
Hydrogen peroxide for infection prevention
Should you ever need to deal with a dental emergency on your own, hydrogen peroxide can help eliminate bacteria and prevent infections.
Dental mirror
This can help you get a closer look and see all the way to the back of your mouth.
Tea bags to reduce swelling, pain, and risk of infection
Placing a teabag on an abscessed tooth can help draw out any infection that might be deep in the tooth. Laying down and allowing the pus to drain from the infection can also reduce swelling and pain. Bonus: you don’t need a tooth infection to benefit from tea.
Gauze and cotton balls to pack a dislodged tooth
If a tooth becomes dislodged, being able to pack the empty space with gauze or cotton balls can help until you’re able to get professional dental help.
Dental wax to mollify chipped teeth
Dental wax can help keep you more comfortable if you chip a tooth and have a sharp spot that rubs up against your cheeks and tongue.
A quick trip to a pharmacy or a few clicks online can help you save some major headaches later if you run into dental issues. Ask us for a recommendation if you aren’t sure what types of items to purchase.
And of course, come see us for your annual checkup before your trip. The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to adopt a proactive approach to your oral health. Most of the time, regular dental visits can detect and treat developing or ongoing issues.
If you’re new to Savannah Dental, book a consultation today. We look forward to meeting you!
