3 Tips To Stay Safe This Halloween and Avoid Seeing an Emergency Dentist

Did you know an estimated 9 million children get emergency care for injuries each Halloween? Some of these are dental emergencies such as knocked-out teeth, oral cuts and abrasions, and toothaches. And it’s a safe bet that both kids and adults alike find witches, ghosts, and goblins scary enough, without the added stress of seeing an emergency dentist in Edison. Keep reading below for 3 ways to prevent common dental emergencies at this time of year. With these tips, you won’t be scared for the wrong reasons this Halloween!

1. Plan Your Costume With Care

Many of the injuries that occur around Halloween are due to costumes that don’t quite go as planned. Here are some ways to plan you or your child’s costume with safety in mind:

• If you’re wearing a mask, wig, cape, glasses, etc., double check that you can see clearly and move freely to avoid falls. It’s also a good idea to make sure your costume isn’t so long at the bottom that it’s easy to trip over.
• If a costume includes fake teeth, be careful when inserting and removing them and don’t eat anything while they’re in. Also, don’t use any type of adhesive to glue them onto your teeth, as there have been cases where people needed emergency dental care to have them removed.
• If you’re wearing dark clothing, make sure you have something reflective on so that you’re visible to motorists.

2. Minimize Certain Foods

While you or your child don’t have to avoid these foods entirely, try to minimize them. And when you do have them, be sure to brush your teeth right away:

• Anything sticky – Caramels, gummy bears, and taffy are all examples of sticky foods that can dislodge a filling or other dental work. These foods are also likely to cause cavities because the sugar adheres to your teeth for a long time.
• Hard candy – Suckers, lollipops, and other hard candies take a long time to dissolve, which is harmful because it exposes your teeth to sugar for quite a while.
• Sour candy – Sour candies have both sugar and acids that wear away at your enamel, so they’re twice as hard on your teeth.

Also, if you’re a parent, it’s always a good idea to inspect the treats your kids bring home to make sure they’re safe.

3. Use a Flashlight When Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating is the highlight of Halloween. Keep it fun (and safe) by making sure you carry a flashlight. This prevents someone from falling and knocking out a tooth due to poor visibility at night.

On a final note: While a dentist in Edison is always available in an emergency, the last place you want to spend Halloween is in the dental chair. With these 3 tips, you’ll have a better chance of staying safe so you won’t have to!

About the Author

Dr. Steven Resnick has been practicing as a general and emergency dentist in Edison for many years. He knows how much his patients enjoy Halloween and always gives them tips to prevent injuries and other dental emergencies at this time of year. If you want to know how to keep your smile healthy this Halloween or have any other questions, he can be contacted via his website.