How to Handle a Dental Emergency on Vacation

Imagine hiking in the woods over uneven terrain. Things seem okay but you feel a growing sense of apprehension. Suddenly, you trip on a root and fall on your face! You are shocked to find a cracked tooth! What was up until this point a fun vacation has become a living nightmare of dental horror!

Lucky for you, emergency dental services are not out of reach when you’re out of town. Here are some tips on how to be prepared for dental mayhem while you’re away on summer vacation.

Common Examples of Summertime Dental Emergencies

Toothaches can happen during air travel. Air can get caught in cracks or between gaps in teeth and then expand with increasing elevation, creating painful pressure within or around the tooth. This should cease after you land. If it doesn’t stop then, try flossing to dislodge any stuck food matter.

A broken or cracked tooth is a painful situation that requires immediate action. It can happen by sudden dental trauma or unexpectedly when you’re in the middle of chewing. Rinse your mouth out with cold water and use a cold compress against your cheek to treat the swelling.

A dislodged tooth is bad news, especially in the middle of a mountain biking expedition. If one of your teeth finds itself outside of your mouth, be sure to know what to do:

• Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root.
• If the root is dirty, rinse it, but don’t touch it or hold it in cloth.
• If you can hold the tooth in the socket, do so.
• If you can’t hold the tooth in the socket, put it in a cup of milk for transport.

Your chances of saving a dislodged tooth decrease after thirty minutes.

Be Prepared!

By now, you’ve probably figured out that in any sort of dental emergency, you’re going to need a dentist. It is best to find a local dental care provider at your destination a while before you hit the road. Call ahead and set up a line of communication between your home dentist and the dentist over yonder so they can share records if needed.

Seeing your dentist before you go on vacation can catch little problems before they become big problems. If you have any cracks in your teeth, getting some dental bonding to fill them in could save you a toothache on your flight. Be sure to travel with all necessary implements of dental hygiene.

Your summer vacation should be a time for fun and relaxation, but a dental emergency can spoil that. By being prepared, a potential crisis can be reduced to a funny story a few years down the line. Stay aware of where to get dental care to maximize your chance of a good time.

About the Practice

Care 32 Dental builds patient relationships that last for years through quality service and compassionate attention. Led by Drs. Heliben and Krunal Desai, the team provides efficient and comfortable dental services to the people of Grand Prairie, TX, and beyond. Specialties include routine checkups and cleanings, restorative dentistry, and emergency dental services. Contact the office online or dial (469) 837-8351 for additional information or assistance.

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