4 Tips to Keep Your Smile Lucky on St. Patrick’s Day!

Shamrocks. Leprechauns. Irish green. These are a few of the things you see a lot of on St. Patrick’s Day. This popular holiday in March is celebrated by many people, from parades to celebrations with friends. However, the luck of the Irish is not always with all the smiles on this special day! Many dental offices have an increase in dental emergencies the day after St. Patrick’s Day. Here are four tips to keep your smile whole and happy while you celebrate.

Tip #1: Pass on the Green Beer

On this festive holiday, everything around you is green! While you can dress in your best emerald-colored clothing, it’s best to avoid drinking green beer. Although it may be appealing during the celebrations, it’s not so great for your teeth. Since this beverage is made with heavy food coloring, your pearly whites could end up turning a shade of green. While it probably won’t permanently stain your smile, consuming green beer along with other dark drinks like red wine and coffee, can dull the pigment of your enamel.

Tip #2: Limit Your Snacking

As with most fun events, food is always a big part of St. Patty’s Day. There are usually many treats, including shamrock-shaped cookies, charcuterie boards, and other delicious appetizers. However, grazing throughout the whole day can lead to cavities by constantly exposing your teeth to sugar and carbohydrates. And you are not likely to leave the festivities to go brush your teeth. It’s best to stick with well-balanced meals throughout the day. If you can’t resist some of those yummy snacks, try to enjoy them as an appetizer close to your meal.

Tip #3: Drink Plenty of Water

Did you know drinking alcohol makes your mouth dry? This allows bad bacteria to grow and cause tooth decay. By staying hydrated, you’ll constantly get your saliva to activate, which is essential for washing away food particles and bacteria. Rinsing off any enamel-attacking acids can help your smile remain healthy and fresh as you enjoy the day.

Tip #4: Know the Steps of a Dental Emergency

As stated above, if the luck of the Irish isn’t with you on St. Patrick’s Day, an unexpected dental event can happen when partying too hard. Accidents can happen, so it’s best to remember dental emergency tips that help minimize the damage. If you (or someone you know) knocks out a tooth, remember these steps:

• Pick the tooth up by the chewing side, not the root.
• Gently rinse it with water.
• Try placing the tooth back in its socket.
• If the tooth doesn’t stay in the socket, keep it moist with milk or in the mouth between the cheek and gum.
• Visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Remember, you can still have tons of fun on St. Patrick’s Day–just be mindful of your oral health. By being mindful of these tips, your smile will remain whole and healthy!

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry keeps the smiles of Dalla healthy and beautiful through their dental experts. With general and board-certified pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and prosthodontists all under one roof, they can assist you with any of your oral health needs. They provide a full range of services to care for your smile, including emergency care. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (214) 350-5333.