HALLOWEEN DENTAL EMERGENCY: PRACTICAL TIPS

Halloween festivities are synonymous with fun, costumes and, of course, candy. However, this festive atmosphere can be interrupted by dental emergencies, such as a broken tooth or acute pain. At AHOA, we want to offer you a practical guide so that you know how to act in case of a dental emergency during these celebrations.

1. What to do if a tooth breaks?

Hard candy, nuts or even an accident with a costume can cause a tooth to break. If this happens:

• Keep calm: The most important thing is not to panic. Keep the tooth, whether complete or fragmented, as clean as possible.
• Look for the tooth fragment: If a large fragment has broken off, store it in a container with milk or saline solution. If you do not have either of these on hand, it is best to place it in your mouth, in contact with saliva, to prevent it from drying out.
• Rinse the mouth with warm water: This helps to remove food or blood in the affected area.
• See your emergency dentist: Even if you do not feel immediate pain, it is essential to see your dentist as soon as possible to assess the severity of the fracture and avoid infection or further problems.

What to do in case of acute dental pain?

During Halloween, it is common for high consumption of candy to cause pain in teeth already affected by decay or tooth sensitivity. If you feel a sharp pain:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water: This can help remove any food residue that is causing additional discomfort.
• Apply cold compresses to the face: If the pain is associated with swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods: While waiting to see the dentist, avoid chewing on the affected area and avoid sugary foods, which can make the pain worse.
• Do not use aspirin directly on the gum: Although it is a popular home remedy, it can damage the tissues. Instead, use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on the package insert.
• See your dentist as soon as possible: Tooth pain is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as a cavity or infection, that needs treatment.

3. Prevention: the best ally to avoid emergencies.

Although dental emergencies are not always preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Moderate consumption of sweets: Opt for sweets that are less sticky or hard to avoid both tooth breakage and the development of cavities.
• Don’t use your teeth to open wrappers: It’s easy to be tempted to use your teeth to open packages of candy or costume accessories, but this can lead to a fracture.
• Maintain good dental hygiene before and after celebrations: Brush your teeth, floss and use mouthwash before and after eating sweets.

Do you have an emergency? At AHOA we attend you

Halloween is a time to enjoy, but a dental emergency can arise at the least expected time. By following these tips, you can minimize the impact and make sure the problem doesn’t escalate. At AHOA we are available to take care of any dental emergency you may have during these dates. If necessary, call us at 933436641 or email us at clínica@ahoa.es.