Smil, Unit 69-70, Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre, Maritime Way, St Mary's Island, Chatham, ME4 3ED
Smil, Unit 69-70, Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre, Maritime Way, St Mary's Island, Chatham, ME4 3ED
The Christmas season has a habit of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re finishing the last of the Halloween chocolate, and the next you’re knee deep in wrapping paper and tinsel. It’s a wonderful time of year, but it also brings something far less festive – the possibility of a dental emergency when most practices are closed.
If you find yourself dealing with sudden tooth pain, a cracked crown, or a knocked-out tooth between the mince pies and the New Year fireworks, the following guidance will help. Keep reading to learn more about what to do in a dental emergency this Christmas.
The festive season brings plenty of delicious treats, but your teeth can pay the price. Understanding how different foods affect your smile can help you enjoy the holidays safely.
Sugary treats can increase the risk of tooth decay
Festive treats like chocolates, biscuits and sweets feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay, especially when eaten frequently throughout the day.
Acidic foods can weaken enamel
Cranberry sauces, citrus drinks and prosecco can temporarily soften enamel, leaving your teeth more vulnerable if you brush too soon or bite on something hard afterwards.
Crunchy and sticky treats can cause damage
Hard nuts, toffees and boiled sweets can chip or crack teeth, especially those with hidden weaknesses or old dental work. Sticky foods can even pull out loose fillings or crowns.
Frequent snacking makes teeth vulnerable
Grazing throughout the day gives teeth little recovery time, making it easier for decay to take hold.
If the Oral Health Foundation could pin one message to every Advent calendar, it would be this: don’t wait until January to fix a dental issue.
Plan a pre-Christmas check-up
If you know you have a sensitive tooth or a crown that doesn’t feel quite right, it’s best to get it checked before the holidays begin. Dental issues rarely stay quiet during the festive season, especially with all the snacking and sugary foods around.
Don’t delay treatment
The Oral Health Foundation warns against “waiting for the new year” because small issues can worsen quickly. A minor ache now might become a severe infection once your dental practice is closed for Christmas.
If something feels off, book an appointment before the rush. You’ll be able to enjoy the festivities a lot more without the worry.
Dental emergencies don’t come with a warning. One moment you’re biting into Christmas chocolate, the next you’re holding half a tooth and wondering why the worst things always happen on bank holidays.
A dental emergency usually involves:
*Sudden or severe pain
*Bleeding that won’t stop
*Trauma to your teeth or mouth
*A broken, loose or knocked-out tooth
*Signs of infection, such as swelling or fever
If you’re unsure, a good rule of thumb is this: if it hurts, worries you, or is getting worse, call us as soon as possible. Quick action during the holidays can save a tooth, prevent infection and give you peace of mind.
Tooth problems aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes they start small, then quietly escalate.
Here’s what to look out for:
1. Toothache that doesn’t go away
A toothache is often caused by an infection inside the tooth. Some signs include:
*Unbearable throbbing pain
*Pain when biting
*Swollen cheeks or gums
*A high temperature
*Extreme tiredness
*A bad taste in the mouth
*Pain that doesn’t improve with medication
If your toothache lasts more than two days or keeps getting worse, you should contact our emergency dentists in Chatham. Early treatment prevents the infection from spreading.
2. Swelling around the face, jaw or gums
Swelling can be a sign of a deeper infection. If the swelling is sudden, expanding or accompanied by fever, contact us immediately. If the swelling is severe or you have trouble breathing, go straight to A&E.
3. A broken or chipped tooth
Even a small break can expose sensitive inner layers of the tooth. Over the holidays, a cracked tooth can turn into a more painful, urgent problem.
What to do at home:
*Rinse with warm water
*Use a cold compress on the cheek
*Call our practice as soon as possible
4. A knocked-out tooth
This is always an emergency, no matter what day it is.
To improve the chances of saving the tooth:
*Hold it by the crown (not the root)
*Gently rinse it
*Place it in milk or salty water
*Apply pressure with gauze if there is bleeding
*Contact us immediately
Timing is everything here. The sooner you call, the better the outcome.
5. Lost fillings or crowns
Christmas tends to involve sticky sweets and hard foods that fillings don’t always get along with.
If your filling falls out:
*Cover the cavity with sugar-free chewing gum to protect it
*Avoid chewing on that side
*Call us so we can replace it and prevent further damage
If you develop pain or notice a problem outside your dentist’s normal hours, NHS 111 will assess your symptoms over the phone and direct you to the right place. NHS 111 can help you locate an available emergency dentist during the Christmas period if your situation requires same-day care.
You should go to the hospital for serious medical emergencies, such as:
*Breathing or swallowing difficulties caused by swelling. This can indicate a spreading infection and needs urgent treatment.
*Severe bleeding that won’t stop. Especially after trauma or an extraction.
*Injuries to the face or jaw. For example, suspected fractures or deep cuts.
*A&E is not the place for routine dental treatment, but it is the right place for situations involving breathing, bleeding or trauma.
It’s easy for routines to slip between Christmas and New Year, but with a few simple strategies, you can enjoy the season without putting your smile at risk.
Enjoy sugary foods as part of meals
Aim to enjoy sugary foods as part of meals rather than constant grazing. Your mouth produces more saliva during main meals, which helps neutralise acids and wash away sugar residues. Drinking plain water throughout the day supports this process, helping to rinse away food particles and maintain a healthy pH balance.
Brush twice a day
Your twice-daily brushing routine should remain non-negotiable, even on busy days when you come home late or fall asleep in front of the TV with a festive film still playing. Flossing, often skipped when we feel busy, becomes particularly important in December because sugary debris gets trapped easily between teeth.
Avoid stress
Stress is another surprising factor. With travel plans and family dynamics, many people clench or grind their teeth more during the holidays. Waking up with a stiff jaw, sensitive teeth or headaches can be a sign of overnight grinding. Building in small moments of breathing or stretching can help reduce this strain.
Getting a balance
And if you want to strike a balance between festive indulgence and oral health, consider offering healthy options alongside traditional treats: crisp apples, carrots, celery, cheese boards, natural yoghurt or unsalted nuts. These foods support saliva production, clean the teeth naturally and provide protective minerals for enamel.
With a little preparation, you can enjoy Christmas without worrying about sudden toothache or last-minute emergencies. If you’ve been putting off a check-up or you’ve noticed something that doesn’t quite feel right, now is the perfect time to take care of it.
Give yourself one less thing to think about over the festive season and book an appointment with us before the Christmas period begins. Call us on 01634 756536 now.
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Smil, Unit 69-70, Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre, Maritime Way, St Mary's Island, Chatham, ME4 3ED
