Preparing for summer vacation usually takes a lot. You need to confirm your mode of transport, book a place to stay, pack your amenities, and maybe even map out an itinerary. Altogether, it can add up to hours of time and anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars spent. You wouldn’t want a dental emergency to make all this a wasted effort, right?
Here are four tips from your dentist in Collinsville on preventing a dental emergency from ruining your summer vacation. Implement them so your own trip doesn’t go down the drain!
Address Dental Problems Before Your Trip
You might feel like a minor toothache or slight jaw pain isn’t anything to worry about, but you shouldn’t put off dealing with them. The pain could escalate to the point you need immediate care by the time of your vacation. Even worse, dental expertise may be expensive or even hard to find near your lodging. That said, see your local dentist to have your “minor” issues checked out before your departure date.
Stock Healthy Snack Options
Try to tone down foods like candies, cookies, ice cream, and carbonated drinks on your journey. Instead, stock healthier snack options like ready-to-eat seasonal fruits, vegetables, and bottled water. You could also bring berries, apples, or carrots.
As an added bonus, your kids would find these nutritious foods tasty and convenient, too.
Practice Pool Safety
You may be surprised to learn that pool accidents are a top cause of dental emergencies. Running on slippery decks can lead to falls, and diving in shallow water can leave you hitting the bottom face first. Any of these can lead to chipped, lost, or displaced teeth. In short, lifeguards aren’t just there to prevent drowning.
Follow recommended safety practices to make your time at the pool safer. That means no running around the pool, no unsafe diving, and no underwater roughhousing. You should also be mindful of the people around you to ensure they aren’t doing these things either. That way the odds of avoiding a doctor’s waiting room will go down.
Pack a Dental Emergency Kit
Even if you try to be as careful as possible, accidents happen. However, you can prepare for possible dental injuries by bringing along a dental emergency kit. Include the below items in your car or beach bag so you’ll be ready:
- Dentist contact information (their office and emergency numbers)
- Pain relievers (i.e., Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
- Gauze (to stem possible bleeding)
- Handkerchiefs
- Saline solution
- Small container with a lid
Dental emergencies can and do turn summer vacations into real bummers. Keep them from happening to you or the rest of your family by practicing the suggestions above!
About the Practice
Collinsville Dental Associates is based in Collinsville, VA. Their team is led by several excellent dentists and champions state-of-the-art dentistry in a small-town atmosphere. The practice ensures that each patient is treated warmly and has access to comprehensive dental care. They’re ready to tackle any issue, whether a dental checkup, teeth cleaning, or even dental implant treatments. They can even address dental emergencies! For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (276)-647-1494.