When planning your vacation, you’re probably not keen on thinking about possible emergencies. But life often has its own plans, so it’s better to prepare for all the events, even the unpleasant ones. Spending a few minutes on researching dental options available in the country you plan on visiting, can save you a lot of trouble later on. Before departing, you should also make sure that your travel insurance covers dental care.
In case of emergency
No matter how much you plan, you’ll never be prepared for everything. Some things in life are just bound to be unexpected. What you can do is minimising the fallout. Dental emergencies can happen to anyone and anywhere. Even those taking really good care of their teeth are not immune to this problem. It’s one thing to have a toothache while at home, where you can just call your dentist and book an appointment. But when you have to look for dental treatment abroad, the matter gets much more complicated. As the saying goes, better to be safe than sorry. That’s why, it’s worth knowing what counts as a dental emergency and what solutions are available to you, before leaving for your trip.
What to do when:
- your tooth hurts
At first, you should rinse your mouth with warm water. Then try to gently floss your teeth to clean out any food that may have been stuck between them. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you should contact a local dentist, because severe pain can be a sign of a more serious emergency. You can take painkillers to alleviate the pain, but remember that it’s just a temporary solution.
- you have a broken tooth
A broken tooth is a serious problem, and it’s not a good idea to ignore it. You should immediately contact a dentist and make an appointment. In the meantime, clean the area with warm water and put a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to stop it from swelling.
- you lose a tooth
If you can’t find an emergency dentist, go to the local hospital. It’s important because a knocked-out tooth can be saved if you get dental help quickly. You should rinse the tooth to clean it of any dirt and either put it back into the socket or place it in a container with milk and take it to the dentist.
- you have a denture problem
Having problems with dentures while travelling can be equally serious as problems with natural teeth. If there’s suddenly something wrong with your denture, try to look for a local dentist who’ll be able to fix it, at least temporarily. After coming back home, you’ll have to visit your own dentist, to find a permanent solution.
Prevention is the best medicine
The best way of avoiding dental emergencies is by checking your teeth regularly. A dental check-up will help you prevent unpleasant surprises. Inform your dentist about your plans and don’t start any treatments right before your trip. It may lead to infections, which will be very problematic while travelling.
If you know your teeth are especially sensitive, you should watch what you’re eating while abroad. Avoid chewing on hard foods like candies or ice. It’s also better to stay away from acidic drinks, which could make your existing dental problems worse.
Toothache while travelling
Don’t panic, if your teeth start hurting on a plane. It’s a normal response to the changes in air pressure. It can aggravate your existing dental issues, but the pain should go away once you’re back on the ground.
A dental emergency, especially one happening away from home, can be a horrible experience. But if you prepare beforehand, you’ll have all the necessary information to solve such problems efficiently.
