Do you have big plans for Valentine’s Day? Are you planning to enjoy a romantic dinner with your spouse or partner? Maybe you’re considering going away for a few days to spend some alone time together. No matter what you have in mind, the last thing you want is a dental injury derailing your plans. Discover what you can do to avoid spending time with your emergency dentist on this love-filled holiday.
Tip #1: Avoid Eating Hard Candies
Boxes of candy hearts tend to be a popular treat this time of year. Unfortunately, these and other similar hard candies can be detrimental to your smile. Instead of enjoying their taste, you may find yourself in pain after biting down and cracking or chipping a tooth.
These types of injuries can lead to an immediate visit to your emergency dentist’s office and require a dental crown or root canal to fix.
Instead of taking a bite of the tiny “Be Mine” heart before you, protect your smile and enjoy the time spent with the one you love.
Tip #2: Be Careful When Consuming Alcohol
Enjoying a glass of wine during a fancy dinner is fine; in fact, it might pair nicely with your meal. However, consuming too much alcohol can lead to a disaster if you’re not careful.
All it takes is an accidental fall to experience a knocked-out or broken tooth. This means that instead of continuing to enjoy the evening with your special someone, you’ll be spending that time with your emergency dentist.
As it is with most things, moderation is key, especially when it comes to drinking alcoholic beverages. Feel free to unwind with a glass but be sure to incorporate plenty of water as well.
Tip #3: Choose Dark Instead of Milk Chocolate
What is Valentine’s Day if chocolate isn’t involved? Stores remain stocked with various delectable options, each of which possesses its own unique flavor. If you want to avoid developing a serious toothache or infection, try swapping out your favorite milk chocolate for the darker variety.
Dark chocolate contains less sugar but still delivers a sweet and satisfying taste. Similar to any indulgent treat, though, it should be eaten sparingly to avoid a worsening oral health problem. The last thing you want is to find yourself canceling your date to address a nagging tooth that requires restorative care.
Visiting your emergency dentist shouldn’t be a part of the plan this Valentine’s Day. By keeping these best practices in mind, you can stay focused on the enjoyable time you’ll spend with the one you love.
About the Author
Dr. Annie Yu is the lead dentist at Avant Dentistry and brings more than 15 years of experience to her patients in Chevy Chase. As an expert in all areas of general dentistry, she understands the inconvenience dental emergencies can cause, especially around the holidays. Offering timely care to help you out of pain, she will develop a treatment that’s designed to restore your smile and get you back to enjoying your time with those you love. Visit our website or call (240) 332-1599 if you suddenly need immediate dental care.