May has arrived, and if you’re like many others this time of year, you’re looking forward to the start of summer vacation. It’s natural to want to take some time off work or school to enjoy the longer, sunnier days, whether you plan to doze by the poolside or travel to unexplored places and learn about new cultures.
But, unfortunately, dental emergencies can strike when you least expect them, like in the middle of your well-earned break. Continue reading to learn 3 tips for handling an urgent oral issue when you’re far away from home!
Tip #1: Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to handle a dental emergency is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. If you already know your destination, you can take a few basic precautions before you arrive.
For instance, you can research a suitable dentist in advance and save their contact information on your phone or pack it in your suitcase so you can call for help if you have an immediate dental issue. Also, be sure to pack all the essentials, like a travel-sized toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and a container of floss, in your carry-on luggage so you can keep your grin clean while you’re on the go.
Finally, don’t forget to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning before leaving town, to help strengthen your teeth and gums and avoid potential problems.
Tip #2: Seek Help
Most oral issues don’t resolve themselves and get progressively worse the longer they remain untreated. That means if something happens on vacation, like you’ve developed a sudden pain or realized a restoration has become destabilized, it’s important to get help sooner rather than later.
If you didn’t research an emergency dentist before arriving, it’s time to try to find one. It’s often best to seek a provider who is in network with your insurance plan, if possible. Also, dentists who offer a complete menu of services are more likely to have solutions to address the immediate problem. You might also try to find someone who offers extended hours or same-day visits for emergencies.
Tip #3: Address Discomfort
You’re not the first traveler to develop a sharp or throbbing toothache on the plane or once you’ve arrived at your final destination. Once you’ve contacted a dentist for help, there are other things you can do to help ease your discomfort until it’s time for your appointment.
For example, you can place an ice pack or cold compress to the sore side of your face for 15 minutes at a time for a temporary reprieve. Most flight attendants are happy to offer a cup of ice free of charge, and many hotels have ice machines that make it easy to get hold of something cold. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which are often widely available wherever you go.
Thankfully, taking a few simple precautions and having a plan for who to contact can go a long way towards saving your smile if you have a dental emergency during your vacation!
Meet the Author
Dr. Tehrani is passionate about helping patients enhance their lives by improving their dental health. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Florida College of Dentistry, and today, offers a complete menu of services, including emergency care, to meet your unique needs under one roof. She offers same-day visits so you don’t have to wait long for relief, then uses state-of-the-art technology to quickly identify the root issue and devise a customized treatment plan to address it. You can request an appointment on the website or call (813) 751-3044.