It may sound like a stereotype assuming people get overly intoxicated on St. Patrick’s Day resulting in bar fights and knocked-out teeth. However, according to statistics generated by software that tracks emergency visits to hospitals, the assumption is correct. In fact, the day after St. Patrick’s Day (a.k.a., March 18th) tends to see an alarming increase in dental emergency cases across the country as a direct result of drunken mayhem on St. Patrick’s Day.
State Statistics Show Results Saint Patricks’ Day Mayhem
Across the country, every state (except Vermont) showed an increase of dental emergencies the day after St. Patrick’s Day. State numbers reveal that visits to the emergency room show:
- 35 states showed a 50% increase in dental visits
- ~ 7 states showed an 100% increase in dental visits
- Delaware has the highest rate, with nearly a 200% increase in people seeking emergency dental care. For what it’s worth, Delaware has a violent crime rate 41% higher than national average, which researchers believe could contribute to the higher percentage.
- Increase is seen in both men and woman, with women showing a large increase in the states of Texas, Rhode Island, Nebraska, and Maryland
- Per capita, Vermont is one of the most Irish states in the union, however has no increase in dental emergencies – a real head scratcher.
Dental emergencies don’t discriminate per heritage, religious background, gender, income brackets, education, etc. Instead, it appears to relate to poor personal choices and uninhibited reactions including:
- Getting overly-intoxicated beyond one or two drinks and/or the legal limit
- Reacting in anger once drunk
- Engaging in physical assault, often fist-fights
- Offending someone, getting punched in the face, and getting teeth knocked out
- Getting so drunk that people get clumsy, trip on the sidewalk, and fall on their face, knocking out teeth.
While all of this may sound “fun” to some people, the truth is that heavy intoxication on St. Patrick’s Day is often the cause for extreme regret, including costly dental emergency visits. In effort to reduce your chance of regretful decisions and behavior, it is easy to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a less-extreme way by:
- Sober celebrations of St. Patrick’s day – or at least limiting the amount of alcohol you consume
- Drinking the same amount of water as every alcoholic beverage you drink
- Not consuming alcohol on an empty stomach
- Designating a sober driver
- If feeling feisty, argumentative, or offended, not engaging with the angered person and removing yourself from the situation.
Remember, St. Patrick’s Day may be a cause to celebrate, but it doesn’t have to detrimentally affect your life, or your teeth. Wishing you a happy, but safe, Saint Patrick’s Day.