How to Handle a Dental Emergency on Vacation

Summer is finally here, which means that it’s time to kick back, relax, and take a trip somewhere. However, while you might be happy to take some time off, your teeth don’t have the same luxury.

The truth is that dental emergencies can strike at any time, so it never hurts to be prepared for the worst to happen. In the interest of planning ahead, here’s what you should do if you have a dental emergency when you’re on vacation.

Dealing With a Toothache

Depending on the severity of the toothache, it may not be critically important to deal with it right away. Some mild tooth pain may come and go—flying, for example, can cause pressure changes that may induce something that feels like a toothache.

That said, if your toothache is severe, or if it doesn’t fade, you may want to make sure nothing more serious is wrong. You should carefully floss your teeth to make sure nothing is lodged in between them and check closely for any swelling or inflammation.

If over-the-counter pain relief isn’t enough to deal with the discomfort, you may want to go ahead and find an emergency dentist nearby who will see you.

Damaged Tooth

If your tooth breaks, however, it’s usually important to see a dentist quickly. Fractures can get more serious if they aren’t dealt with, and can become hotbeds of infection if nothing is done.

It’s usually a good idea to gently rinse out your mouth to make sure the wound isn’t dirty, and apply a cold compress to bring down any swelling.

Lost Tooth

If you lose a tooth, you should make your way to the nearest dentist as fast as possible. Time is of the essence if you want to be able to replace the tooth.

First, you should try and recover the tooth, if possible. Rinse it off gently under the sink, holding it by the tooth and not by the root. Then, place the tooth in milk to preserve it—saltwater will also do, but isn’t ideal. The faster you move, the more likely that you’ll be able to put your tooth back.

About the Author

In her years of dental experience, Dr. Sowmya Kumar has helped patients deal with just about any kind of problem you could imagine. She still loves nothing more than being able to help patients who are in pain to recover, and seeing the look of relief on their faces when they finally feel better. Dr. Kumar received her dental degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She also continues her education to this day to make sure that she understands the latest techniques in oral medicine.

If you have any questions about a dental emergency, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (321) 631-4334.