What To Do If You Have A Holiday Dental Emergency

Christmas peanut brittle. What a treat! That is until you feel a different sort of crunch. Now you've done it; you've broken a tooth on Christmas Day. During the holidays, we often indulge in food we don't normally eat: chestunts, walnuts, hard candy and other foods that can sometimes damage sensitive teeth, dental work or gums. So this holiday, be dental aware. Remember to chew hard foods slowly and not use your teeth to open or cut any type of hard shell.  From a chipped tooth to a lost filling, a dental emergency can hamper any celebration. Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can minimize the pain and discomfort until you get to a dentist.

Many household first-aid kits contain items for medical emergencies, such as cuts and sprains. But dealing with a dental emergency requires other supplies. Here is a list of common items you can keep in your medicine cabinet if a need arises.

• Dental pain relievers. Dental pain is often a result of inflammation and pressure on various tissues and nerves of the face, so the best over-the-counter pain relievers are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include ibuprofen or naproxen. Over-the-counter dental anesthetic gels, pastes and liquids can also alleviate dental pain.
• Temporary dental cement. This can be used to replace a filling or secure a crown. A piece of softened sugarless gum can also work as a temporary filling.
• Soft dental floss. Use floss immediately to remove objects stuck between teeth.
• A denture repair product. If you are a denture wearer ask your dentist for this product to temporarily fix any broken, missing or worn parts of a denture.

Remember, these remedies are temporary until you are able to contact your dentist and should not take the place of seeing your dentist!