Dental emergencies can occur anywhere and at any time. The worst time to have to deal with a dental emergency is while you are on vacation, or when you are travelling for business. However, you can avoid dental emergencies by taking the necessary precautions.
Also, knowing what to do in the event of a dental emergency will help you obtain immediate relief. Here, our focus will be on the most common types of dental emergencies, and what you should do to treat them while travelling abroad.
Common Dental Emergencies That Can Occur While Travelling
A sudden toothache can be caused by a dental cavity, infection, or blunt force trauma to the tooth. You may have bitten into a metallic object, for example, or a bone while eating a piece of meat.
Many dental issues grow slowly, so you may not experience any symptoms for weeks, months, or even years.
A tooth may get knocked out during a fall or accident while you are travelling, working out, or playing sports. Abscessed gums are also a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis, and should be treated as soon as possible.
You may require antibiotics, as dental infections can spread to other parts of the body, including the heart and lungs.
Teeth may become cracked or chipped due to an accident, such as a mishap while eating dinner. Wisdom teeth can also cause very painful and serious problems, especially if they are impacted.
An impacted wisdom tooth that becomes infected can cause excruciating pain that can make it impossible to eat, sleep, or do anything productive. If they need to be extracted, then you will need to take several days or weeks to recover, which may put a damper on your vacation plans.
Soft tissue injuries to the gums, teeth or other parts of the mouth can also constitute a serious medical emergency that may require immediate dental work.
Dentures can be misplaced or be stolen while you are travelling in a foreign country. Loose dentures can make it hard to eat and may cause issues with speaking.
How to Deal With Dental Emergencies
If you are dealing with a toothache, then you can take a painkiller such as aspirin to help with the pain and swelling. Apply a cold compress to the area in order to help numb the pain. The treatment that your dentist will administer will depend on the root cause of your toothache.
Some toothaches can be solved with a dental filling, while more severe cases may require a root canal or extraction.
If you are dealing with a chipped or broken tooth, then rinse your mouth gently with some warm water. Apply some gauze to the affected area to help stop the bleeding. Your dentist may provide you with a mouthguard after they are finished repairing your tooth so that you can avoid injury in the future.
If your tooth gets knocked out, then you should pick it up by the crown and rinse off the root, but only if it has been tainted by the fall. In some cases, you may be able to set the tooth back in place. However, please be careful to not push it directly into the exposed socket.
Rinsing your mouth with a water solution can help provide temporary pain relief if you have an abscess. You can take a painkiller and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if you are dealing with an infected wisdom tooth.
If your dentures are loose or missing, then you should call your dentist as soon as possible in order to have them tightened or replaced. Permanent relief for the aforementioned issues can only be obtained by visiting a local dentist.
Emergency dental care that is provided by an emergency dentist can help salvage your tooth and provide you with immediate pain relief.
Tips for Emergency Dental Care While Travelling
You should visit your dentist before you travel to make sure that there are no dental issues to worry about. Sensitivity toothpaste can also help you eat and drink certain foods without having to deal with sensitivity or discomfort.
We would suggest that you obtain dental insurance before you leave on your trip, as you never know when it may come in handy. Being mindful of what you eat can also prevent certain dental emergencies, and you should remember to bring all of your dental appliances with you.
Do some research on your travel destination before you leave. Learn more about the types of dental services that they offer, including pricing, location, and technology used.
Be Prepared
No one wants to have to deal with a dental emergency, especially while they are travelling. Severe pain and other issues may make it impossible for you to enjoy your trip.
Therefore, taking the necessary precautions and having a contingency plan will help prevent, or at the very least alleviate, many dental issues.
While there are certain self-help treatments on the market, they will only help relieve some of the symptoms. The best way to obtain permanent relief and prevent the possible loss of your teeth is to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Emergency dentists have years of experience in treating a wide array of dental emergencies, such as serious dental abscesses and impacted wisdom teeth infections. They will also teach you how to prevent dental emergencies from occurring in the future so that you can enjoy subsequent trips without much concern.
Brushing 2 to 3 times a day with an electric toothbrush, while also flossing once or twice a day, can prevent many dental problems such as cavities from occurring in the first place. Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and beverages can also help.
