Halloween can be full of sweet treats and smiles! However, it can also be full of scary stuff, such as a dental emergency that you never even saw coming. Fortunately, you have our Cerritos, CA dental surgery team on your side to give you a quick warning ahead of time. When you have a good idea of what to look out for on this otherwise enjoyable night, you can do your best to steer clear of danger that can lead to an urgent need for dental care! As for the ghosts, ghouls, and spider webs, well … you might need to seek some additional help elsewhere once you’ve finished learning how to best protect your smile!
#1: Cracking Your Tooth
You could so very easily crack your tooth on Halloween night. Should this happen, it is time to contact us for dental emergency care! However, we encourage you to simply take easy steps to avoid this. How to do so, you ask? Well, remember the following:
- Anything that’s very hard to bite into because it is extremely hard presents a challenge that could lead to a cracked tooth. Be careful with nuts, hard cookies, and very hard candies.
- Simply be careful, carry a flashlight, and watch where you’re going if you’re out and about (such as trick or treating). Tripping is a hazard that can lead to damaged teeth, so be careful!
- Eating popcorn on Halloween as you’re cozy at home? Watch for kernels!
#2: Dislodging Or Damaging Dental Work
The dental emergency that occurs when you accidentally break your braces, your dental bridge, your crown, etc., is also very avoidable. However, it’s also extremely easy for something like this to happen on Halloween night. Why? Well, because lots of candies are extremely chewy. Candied apples are exceptionally sticky. Then, there are the aforementioned hard foods. If you can crack a tooth, you can dislodge dental work of damage it. Just be thoughtful about the treats and snacks you’re consuming!
#3: Ending Up In Severe Pain
If your tooth hurts, come in now. Don’t wait until Halloween shows up. You should have sores, symptoms, and any changes checked before a holiday, so it doesn’t flare up or worsen by then (and ruin your fun).
See Us When You Have A Dental Emergency
If you end up experiencing a dental emergency on Halloween or any other day, remember that we are always here to guide you back toward a healthy smile! To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Cerritos, CA, and all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and more.
