The day and week after Halloween are notorious in the dental world for being the busiest time of year for tooth-related emergencies. It’s a trend that continues through the holiday season, too. Who needs a dental crisis getting in the way of their good time? Halloween is a time for both children and adults to have a little fun, to enjoy dressing up, trick-or-treating, and eating candy. On that note, here are a few tips on how to avoid a dental emergency this time of year and limit the scares to spooky movies and haunted houses!
Sugar May Bring to Light Existing Problems
This time of year, dentists get a lot more calls about tooth pain and sensitivity, and it usually boils down to one reason: sugar.
It’s no secret that people are consuming more sugar than normal during Halloween. Kids are literally going door to door asking for candy! And when they bring it all home, parents like to have a little taste as well.
And that’s fine, and sugar doesn’t necessarily create an overnight dental emergency. What it can do, however, is reach the nerves in your teeth through cavities that you may not have known existed and irritate them. That’s what leads to an uptick in visits to the dentist.
All that to say this: while a mild toothache may not be an emergency now, it can certainly become one later. Untreated cavities can lead to painful infections or even fractured teeth as decay can gradually weaken the structure and make a tooth more prone to cracks and chips.
So, this may be a good time of year for a gentle reminder to be mindful of your sugar intake during Halloween and the later holidays, and to practice good at-home oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. It may even be a good time for a dental checkup and cleaning if you haven’t been in 6 months. A professional cleaning can remove plaque and tartar buildup, and an examination allows your dentist to spot any current or potential complications.
Greater Chance for Accidents
Consider that a bunch of people are hopped up on sugar, trying to navigate unfamiliar concrete sidewalks in the dark while wearing masks, and you can see how accidents can happen.
Unfortunately, dentists commonly see patients during the spooky season who have, for example, taken a nasty spill stepping off a curb and suffered a knocked-out, chipped, or cracked tooth. Physical injuries are a leading cause of dental emergencies.
Some tips you may want to consider:
- Trick-or-treat in neighborhoods you’re familiar with. Knowing the lay of the land can help prevent accidental falls.
- Use a flashlight for you and your children to light the way if you’re out and about after dark.
- The Halloween season offers plenty of recreational activities, some of them physical. Protect your teeth with a mouthguard.
Lost or Loosened Restorations
Your teeth aren’t always the victims of a blow to your face. An accidental run-in with another person or a sidewalk can knock loose or damage restorations like crowns, bridges, and tooth fillings.
Sometimes, sticky candy is the culprit. Dental crowns have been known to come loose or completely fall out when someone tries to pry caramel or taffy off them. If that sounds extreme, it’s often due to the bond between the restoration and tooth weakening over time, or that process could be expedited by the tooth beneath it suffering from decay.
So, if you’ve had dental work done, be very careful about what you expose it to, and brush your restorations thoroughly after you’ve enjoyed your candy.
In summary, go easy on the sugar, be careful where you’re stepping, and take care of your restorations for a fun, stress-free time this Halloween!
About the Practice
Taylor Street Dental wants you to enjoy yourself this Halloween, but if a crisis strikes, know that we are here for you. Our team offers same-day emergency visits for patients in pain, as well as comprehensive services under one roof to address many types of urgent situations. Don’t delay! Call our Springfield office at Call (413) 781-7646 or reach us online.