The festive season is a time for joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones, but it can also come with its fair share of stress. One thing that can quickly ruin the holiday spirit is a sudden toothache. With many dental practices closed or operating with reduced hours during Christmas and New Year, it’s essential to know what to do if a dental emergency strikes.
Toothaches and Holiday Stress
As much as we look forward to the holiday festivities, the added stress and indulgence can sometimes trigger dental discomfort. Whether it’s from too many sweets, travel, or a busy schedule, a toothache can quickly derail your plans. With many dental clinics closing for the holidays, you might find it challenging to get an appointment, so it’s crucial to be prepared.
Why Travelling Can Make Tooth Pain Worse
If you’re planning to travel for the holidays, particularly by plane, it’s important to be aware that flying can exacerbate tooth pain. The change in altitude and cabin pressure can cause discomfort, especially if you already have an untreated cavity or an infected tooth. The pressure changes can lead to increased pain or swelling.
Tips for managing pain during travel:
- Stay hydrated to keep your mouth moist and prevent discomfort.
- Avoid sugary snacks that can aggravate the pain.
- Bring along over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol (available at Brisbane pharmacies).
Recognising a Dental Emergency
Not all toothaches require an immediate visit to the dentist, but some situations demand urgent attention. It’s important to know when to seek emergency dental care.
Common dental emergencies include:
- Severe pain that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter pain relief.
- Swelling in the gums or face, indicating an infection.
- Tooth damage due to an accident or fall.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait—seek help from an emergency dentist in Brisbane as soon as possible.
When Dentists Are Closed
During Christmas and New Year, many local dental clinics in Brisbane close for the holidays. However, it’s important to know that there are 24/7 emergency dental clinics available to provide immediate care.
Brisbane has several emergency dental support that operate during public holidays, including Brisbane Emergency Dentist, The Dental Emergency Centre and Metro North Hospital. These practices offer out-of-hours services and can assist you if you’re in significant pain or need urgent treatment. For those travelling, online tools can help you locate the nearest emergency dental clinic wherever you are.
What to Do While Waiting for Treatment
If you can’t get to a dentist right away, here are some first-aid tips to help ease the pain until you can receive professional care:
- Cold compress: Apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling.
- Painkillers: Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen (if it’s safe for you) to manage discomfort.
- Salt water rinse: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help alleviate pain and clean the area.
- Avoid irritating foods: Stay away from very hot, cold, or sugary foods that could aggravate the tooth pain.
How Face Value Dental Can Help
Although Face Value Dental is closed on the main holidays, we’re still here to offer guidance. Our team is available to provide advice on how to manage a dental emergency and, if necessary, refer you to trusted emergency dental clinics for immediate care.
We also offer follow-up care once our clinic reopens after the festive period, ensuring you’re well taken care of after your emergency.
Prevention Is Key for 2024
The best way to avoid dental emergencies during the holidays is by staying on top of your oral health. Now is the perfect time to schedule your last check-up of the year before the celebrations begin. If you’re planning to travel, ensure you’re up-to-date with your dental care to prevent any issues while you’re away from home.
A toothache during the festive season can be more than just a hassle—it can ruin your holiday plans and add unnecessary stress. By being prepared and knowing where to go in case of an emergency, you can ensure that you’re ready to handle any dental issues that come your way. Whether you’re celebrating at home or travelling, Face Value Dental is here to provide expert advice and guidance to keep your holidays pain-free.
Stay safe, enjoy the festivities, and don’t let tooth pain steal your holiday joy!