A pillowcase full of candy and a great costume are Halloween memories worth keeping. A chipped tooth or lost filling? Not so much. With people walking unfamiliar routes after dark and plenty of crunchy and chewy treats in the mix, October 31 can bring a few unexpected risks for your mouth. Fortunately, knowing how to respond can make an upsetting situation easier to manage.
When dental trouble makes an unwelcome appearance, your first priority should be caring for the injury without causing additional damage. From there, you can determine how quickly professional attention is needed.
Take Care With a Chipped or Broken Tooth
A tooth may crack after biting down on a particularly hard treat, but Halloween falls and collisions can cause fractures, too. You might immediately see a missing piece, or you may first notice a sharp edge or new sensitivity.
Gently rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces of tooth you can locate. Hold a cold compress against the outside of the cheek if swelling develops. Avoid chewing with the affected tooth until it has been evaluated.
Even when the break looks small or doesn't hurt, don't dismiss it. The visible damage may not reveal everything happening inside the tooth.
Know How to Help a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
A permanent tooth that comes completely out of its socket needs immediate dental attention. How you handle it beforehand matters.
Keep these steps in mind:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root.
- If it's dirty, rinse it gently with water without scrubbing.
- Try to carefully return it to the socket if it moves into place easily.
- If you can't reinsert it, keep it moist in milk or a tooth-preservation solution.
- Seek emergency dental care right away.
A knocked-out baby tooth should not be returned to its socket. Reinserting it could interfere with the permanent tooth developing below the gums.
Check Your Filling After a Sticky Snack
Caramel, taffy, and other chewy favorites may cling tightly to dental work. If a filling was already compromised, a sticky treat could loosen it or pull it out.
A newly exposed tooth may react to sweets, hot or cold temperatures, or pressure from chewing. Keep the area clean, use the opposite side of your mouth for eating, and avoid anything that causes discomfort. Have the tooth evaluated rather than waiting to see whether pain develops.
Handle Cuts Inside the Mouth Carefully
A stumble or bump to the face can cause the teeth to catch the tongue or lip. Mouth injuries can bleed quite a bit, so even a small cut may initially look frightening.
Gently clean the area and apply firm pressure with clean gauze. Something cold can help with swelling. Seek prompt medical attention if:
- The wound is deep or gaping.
- Bleeding doesn't stop with continued pressure.
- There is significant facial trauma.
- Breathing or swallowing becomes difficult.
Keep Halloween's Frights Make-Believe
Before heading out, check costumes for anything that could cause a trip, make sure masks allow clear vision, and bring adequate lighting for dark sidewalks and porch steps. A little extra caution with extremely hard and sticky candy can also be easier on teeth and fillings.
If dental trouble still interrupts the festivities, don't let the problem disappear from your mind once Halloween is over. Some injuries require treatment even when they aren't especially painful. Contact Levenson Smile to schedule an appointment and make sure your smile gets the professional care it needs. Call us at 508-422-5044 for an appointment in Worcester, MA. You can also Schedule Online.
