Christmas should be a time for spending time with friends and family, enjoying a few days off and celebrating but we all know that accidents can happen at any time and unfortunately, Christmas tends to be peak season for accidents and injuries. Thankfully, we are on hand to provide emergency dental care and we can also offer information to help you in the event of a festive dental emergency.

Tips for avoiding dental emergencies

Sometimes dental emergencies are completely unavoidable, but there are some simple steps you can take to try and reduce the risk of spending Christmas day in the dental chair. Now is the perfect time of year to have a dental check-up, especially if you haven’t been in the last 6 months; we can have a look around your mouth and check for any signs of dental problems, such as decay or gum disease and arrange treatment if necessary. Check-ups are very quick and painless and they are really important; if you have decay or symptoms of gum disease, these are likely to get worse, not better, so it’s best that we get them sorted as quickly as possible.

Look after your teeth

Christmas is a time of indulgence and that’s fine, but remember not to neglect your teeth. At this time of year, you are probably thinking about going crazy with mince pies, Christmas cake and chocolates, washed down with a drop of Snowball or a glass of red, but spare a thought for your teeth. Sugary foods are a delight for the tastebuds, but they are a nightmare for your teeth, so remember to brush twice a day and try to stick to eating treats at mealtimes.

What to do if you have a dental emergency

If you need urgent dental treatment, contact your dental practice; if it is not open, there should be information online or in the local newspapers about out of hours dental services. If you have damaged or fractured your jaw, you have lost a tooth or you are experiencing prolonged bleeding, visit your Accident and Emergency department; if you’ve lost a tooth, keep it in a glass of milk and avoid holding it by the root; if you are able to see a dentist or doctor quickly enough, they may be able to fix the tooth back into its socket. Contact the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Dundrum for more information on the emergency services we offer over the Christmas period.