Patient Portal 
If you’re making big plans this summer, the last thing you want to worry about is medical trouble. Your focus should be relaxation and having fun. However, things happen, and it’s best to plan ahead in case something unexpected occurs. The power of knowledge can go a long way: knowing how to take care of certain oral health issues can help you a lot in the moment. Here is your guide to handling a dental emergency on vacation.
How to Deal with Common Dental Emergencies
The word emergency sounds daunting, but there are some steps you can take to protect your smile on your own before seeking medical treatment to give yourself a little more time. When you’re away from home, you might be less familiar with your surroundings. Having a moment to catch your breath before you start looking for a nearby provider ensures you’re thinking with a level head and are making smart decisions. Here’s how to manage a few common dental emergencies while you’re looking for a dentist:
Toothache
If you’re traveling by plane, having tooth pain isn’t exactly uncommon. This type of toothache should go away upon landing.
However, if your toothache persists or worsens, that might be indicative of a larger issue. You should see a nearby dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth, gently use floss to remove debris that’s stuck between your teeth, or take some over-the-counter pain medication.
Losing a Filling
Use a bit of toothpaste as glue to put it back in place before finding a dentist. If you’re experiencing discomfort, it’s okay to take over-the-counter pain medication.
Damaged Tooth
Breaking or cracking a tooth is a dental emergency that requires urgent professional care. A measure you can take on your own is to rinse your mouth with water and apply a cold compress around the affected area. This can help manage some of the swelling.
Losing a Tooth
You can still save your tooth! Finding a dentist within the hour is key.
To preserve your tooth, hold it by the crown in the socket. If it’s dirty, you should rinse it off first, but it’s imperative you do not put it in a cloth or make contact with any of the tissue fragments. Another option to transport your tooth to the dentist is by placing it in a glass of milk, but it’s best to keep it in the socket if possible.
Finding an Emergency Dentist Near You
Whatever resources are at your disposal can help a lot in a pinch. If you’re staying at a hotel or an embassy, your front desk should have recommendations for local emergency dentists in the area.
Your cellphone can also be your best friend. If you’re living at a homestay or out and about, scouring the Internet for a nearby dentist with good reviews is the next best option to word-of-mouth recommendations.
If you can’t find a dentist for any number of reasons, another option is to go to an emergency room. Even if there aren’t any doctors trained in taking care of teeth specifically, they all have knowledge about pain relief medications and antibiotics. They may also have some referrals to specialists after your visit!
Don’t neglect your oral health this summer! If you have a dental emergency while you’re on vacation, take care of it as soon as possible so you can get back to enjoying your time off.
About the Author
At Highland Smiles Dental, Dr. Girish Sandadi provides an extensive array of dental services with a smile. Highland Smiles Dental is always here for you and has a highly-skilled and experienced team available for same-day appointments, should you have a dental emergency. From tooth extractions to root canal therapy, Dr. Sandadi is there for you! If you have questions about emergency dentistry, you can contact him through his website or by phone at (214) 528-9990.