When you imagined taking your vacation, you probably didn’t envision dealing with a dental emergency. Away from home, you may not know where to turn for help or what to do. Here is some information that can help you get through the situation and help you enjoy the rest of your vacation.
How to Respond to a Dental Emergency on Vacation
Whether you’re at home or out traveling the world, your response to a dental emergency will make a difference in getting relief and successful treatment as quickly as possible.
Tooth Pain
Unfortunately, if you are flying to your destination, you may experience tooth pain as a result of air pressure changes during flight. Once you’ve landed, if your discomfort continues, floss your teeth to make sure there’s nothing lodged between them causing your pain. You may also take ibuprofen, but if the ache lingers and you’re unable to wait until you return home, find a local dentist who can help.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Out of all the dental emergencies you can experience, the most urgent is a dislodged tooth because it can be saved for only a limited time after the injury. In fact, the chances of successfully re-implanting the tooth drop significantly after 30 minutes to an hour. If this happens to you, immediately contact a local dentist and get to their office as soon as you can.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
This kind of damage to a tooth must be treated right away as well, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a nearby dentist.
How to Prepare for and Prevent a Dental Emergency
When it comes to your oral health, preparation and prevention are the key to keeping your smile strong. Before you leave on your vacation, make sure you do these things:
- Have your semi-annual checkup and cleaning: This appointment gives your dentist the opportunity to catch any developing issues before they progress and cause you pain.
- Pack the right supplies: Along with your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, make sure you bring pain reliever, and you can consider packing a dental emergency kit.
- Plan for trips abroad: If you are traveling overseas, do your research and planning well in advance. You should consider getting international travel insurance and know the phone number of the US Embassy or Consulate for additional guidance in emergency scenarios.
Ultimately, you may not be able to avoid or be completely ready for a dental emergency, but if you prepare and know what to do, then you can deal with the situation and get back to enjoying your time away.
About the Practice
In addition to preventive and emergency care, Beach Dental offers advanced care in dental implants, Invisalign, and more. Dr. Jason Parli and Dr. Alexis Gersten have more than 20 years of experience and have treated patients coming from Westhampton Beach, East Moriches, Manorville, Westhampton, East Quogue, and surrounding communities. If you would like to schedule an appointment, just contact the office online or call 631-325-0731.