5 Tips to Keep Dental Emergencies from Ruining Your Holiday Trip

More than one person in five will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday season. If you’re planning to hit the road, rails or skies this month, a little pre-trip preparation can help keep you smiling well into the New Year.

1. Check what your dental plan covers before traveling. You can easily access details of your Delta Dental coverage by using Benefits Connection. Just go to www.deltadentalnj.com, click "Members" and log on.

2. Know how to find a network dentist at your destination. You can find a participating Delta Dental dentist anywhere in the U.S. or Puerto Rico by visiting our Web site at www.deltadentalnj.com; click "Find a Dentist” on the left navigation bar. Or, call our toll-free number, (800) DELTA-OK (335-8265).

3. Pack a dental first-aid kit. Include the phone numbers of dentists at your destination, gauze, cotton, oil of cloves, non-aspirin pain reliever (aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency), floss, over-the-counter dental cement, small containers with lids, saline solution, topical anesthetic and cold compresses. (Note: If you’re traveling by airplane and want to carry on your dental first-aid kit, you’ll need to pack all liquids, gels and aerosols in three-ounce or smaller containers and place them in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag for airport screening.)

4. Bring dental information with you. This includes your dentist's name, address, telephone number and any pertinent information about your oral health. Also take your dental insurance policy number and Delta Dental's toll-free Customer Service number (800-452-9310). To print a copy of your Delta Dental ID card from your computer before you leave, visit our Web site at www.deltadentalnj.com and log onto Benefits Connection, the secure area of our Web site. Click the Print ID Card icon. The card will display for printing.

5. Take care of problems before you go. Ignoring a “little problem” isn’t likely to make it go away until after the holidays. In fact, pressure changes on airplanes can actually cause dental problems to worsen. An ounce of prevention will help keep your holidays merry!