Ask the Dentist!
Tails From the Tailgate
There’s no other place in the country better to tailgate than Tiger Stadium. Tons of food, beer, and friends make for a great tailgate, but it also can lead to unexpected dental problems. A few precautions can keep the party going so you can cheer the Tigers to victory!
Chipped teeth are the most common problems I see, especially after a full day of tailgating. Beer bottles seem to be able to find that one front tooth and take a chip out, usually with the help of someone else. Drinking out of plastic cups will keep those teeth safe and keep your smile intact. Food is never hard to find, especially the sweet, sticky kind. If you have crowns or even a temporary crown, be careful! Hard, sticky and chewy foods can pull crowns off, especially temporary crowns. My advice is to be aware of what you’re eating and stay off temporary crowns until the final crown is cemented in place.
If you’ve been tailgating all day, there’s a chance you may not be as steady on your feet as you were earlier in the day. Facial trauma from accidental falls can happen, even if you are still steady on your feet. I had a patient last year who tripped on a tree root while tailgating and completely knocked out her front tooth. Fortunately, she didn’t have any facial fractures and we were able to replace the missing tooth with an implant.
Needless to say - be careful this football season, and if you do have a problem give us a call!
Geaux Tigers!