With summer’s arrival, you’re probably eager to start your vacation. A nice break from work and toil is likely just what your family needs! Still, you’ll want to ensure a dental emergency doesn’t ruin this fun. Urgent dental care is the last thing your trip needs. Thankfully, your Chardon dentist is here with some helpful tips for you. Read on, then, to learn ways to prevent dental emergencies on summer vacation.
Monitor Summer Oral Hygiene
To avoid dental issues on vacation, you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene. It’ll reduce your risk of sudden (and painful) cavities or infections. Therefore, monitor your family’s oral care before and during the trip.
For example, have everyone see the dentist prior to traveling. A checkup will treat pre-existing oral problems ahead of time. Furthermore, it’ll give you and your kids stronger teeth – ones more resistant to unhealthy vacation meals.
Similarly, remind the family to brush and floss on the trip. It’s easy to lose track of regular habits when staying in a new place. With some well-placed reminders, though, everyone will remember to keep brushing and flossing.
Swim & Play Safely
Whether at home or abroad, “safety first” is always a good rule to follow. Ensure your family abides by it – particularly when at the pool or playing sports.
If you don’t already know, pool accidents are a common reason for dental emergencies. Kids can hit a pool’s concrete ledge while swimming, breaking their front teeth. Running on slippery pool decks, meanwhile, leads to equally bad results. Given these facts, have your family follow proper pool rules.
Sports injuries, naturally, can also cause dental emergencies. They often involve broken or chipped front teeth, fractured roots, and cut lips. As such, have your family members wear mouthguards when playing contact sports. That way, you can prevent these accidents.
Eat Healthy Summer Snacks
During the summer, limiting yourself and your kids from sugary foods is harder. Eating these unhealthy items could lead to painful cavities if you aren’t careful. That being the case, minimize sugary or acidic items before and during your vacation.
To make things easier, stock your trip snack bag with healthy alternatives. These might include cheeses, yogurts, and fresh fruits or veggies. (As a bonus, kids can quickly grab these foods to-go.) Another idea is to swap out the sodas and juices for water and milk.
Ultimately, dental emergencies on summer vacation don’t have to happen. All you have to do is remember the tips above!
About the Practice
The Chardon Smile Center is based in Chardon, OH. Led by Drs. Christopher Phillips and Brian Titus, our practice offers comprehensive dentistry for all. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental procedures. You can even count on us for periodontal and TMJ therapies. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (440)-576-7040.