Your Holiday Emergency Guide

Christmas in Cairns is all about family, Summertime, and of course, a festive feast. But between the pork crackling and the candy canes, the holiday season can be a surprisingly risky time for your teeth.

At Cairns Dental Boutique, we see a significant rise in dental emergencies during the last week of December. Whether it’s a sudden toothache or a chipped tooth from a holiday treat, we know that dental pain doesn’t take a holiday.

Here is our friendly survival guide to keeping your smile safe this season—and what to do if a festive disaster strikes.

Common Christmas Dental Culprits

While we want you to enjoy every bit of your Christmas lunch, some holiday favourites are notorious for causing broken teeth and lost fillings:

• Pork Crackling & Candied Nuts: These are the #1 cause of cracked teeth this time of year. If you have an older filling or crown, take extra care with the crunch!
• Candy Canes & Toffee: Sticky sweets can easily pull out a loose crown, while hard lollies can cause painful chips.
• Teeth as Tools: It’s tempting to use your teeth to rip open sticky tape or a difficult toy package when you can’t find the scissors. Please don’t! This is a fast track to an emergency dental visit.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

If you do find yourself with a dental drama while the carols are playing, don’t panic. Here are the immediate steps to take:

1. A Chipped or Broken Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water and try to keep any pieces of the tooth that have come away. If there is a sharp edge, you can use a small piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax (from the chemist) to cover it temporarily to protect your tongue and cheek.

2. A Sudden Toothache

A throbbing toothache can be a sign of an infection or a deep cavity. Rinse with warm salt water and use floss to ensure no food is trapped between the teeth. If there is swelling, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help until you can see us.

3. A Lost Filling or Crown

If a crown falls out, keep it safe. You can sometimes use a tiny bit of denture adhesive to tack it back in place temporarily to protect the sensitive tooth underneath, but you’ll need a professional to reattach it properly.

Emergency Dental in Cairns: We’re Here to Help

We understand that a broken tooth or severe toothache can happen at the most inconvenient times. At Cairns Dental Boutique, we prioritise emergency dental appointments to get you out of pain and back to your celebrations as quickly as possible.

Don’t spend your holidays in pain or hiding your smile in family photos. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always better to get it checked early before it turns into a bigger issue.

Experiencing a holiday dental emergency? Call Cairns Dental Boutique immediately on (07) 4032 3236 or book your emergency consultation online. Let’s get your Christmas back on track!