Fourth of July Dental Tips

Happy Fourth of July from your Cedarhurst Dentist Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. and staff! To help keep your celebrations as joyful as possible, we've put together a few dental tips that will keep your smile as bright as the fireworks.

Ice, Candy Apples, Corn on the Cob, and Pretzels are common at Fourth of July BBQs. Try to avoid chewing on ice and if you must have a candy apple, slice the apple to make it easier to chew on. Use a knife to cut the corn off of the cob so you can enjoy the flavor without hurting your teeth. If the pretzels are a bit stale try dunking them in some water before you chow down. If you do chip your tooth, here are some tips to keep the pain down until you can visit the office after the holiday day.

If your tooth is broken, chipped, or fractured, you definitely need to see Dr. Bergan as soon as possible), as you risk damaging your tooth further, or worse becoming infected, which can lead to total tooth loss. 

Make sure that you:

• Rinse your mouth with some clean, warm saltwater.
• Take some over-the-counter pain relief. Look for the bottle with acetaminophen as the active ingredient.
• If you have to eat, try to avoid using the broken tooth, and stick to soft foods
• Sometimes a broken or chipped tooth will leave a sharp edge, which you can cover with wax or plain chewing gum (sugarless).

Daylong snacking is a common event at Independence Day celebrations. To help keep your teeth clean without bringing a toothbrush, try chewing on some sugarless ADA approved gum. It will remove food particles and stimulate saliva production.

Beer and Soda are popular beverages at BBQs, so make sure to alternate drinks with water. This will help keep your teeth clean and the pH normal in your mouth. As an added bonus, water helps avoid hangovers and helps you to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Cheese, celery, and onions all help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, and they should be in easy supply at your celebration.

Please do not use your mouth as a bottle opener. This may sound ridiculous, but it happens more than you might think. When the bottle opener disappears, people resort to crazy tactics, and your teeth are often involved. Beer bottle related tooth injuries actually make up a large percentage of BBQ-related dental problems. Please Avoid it!

After you make it home safe and sound, make sure to finish the night with brushing and flossing. The few minutes you spend can fight off unnecessary dental work down the road. Also consider scheduling a cleaning if you are due. Regular dental cleanings help fight off cancer, protect your teeth, and fight off heart attacks/strokes.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make sure your Independence Day is memorable for the good times, not the bad, please call with any questions or concerns you may have. We can be reached at 800-223-0801.