PREPARING YOUR TEETH FOR SUMMER VACATION
-Delta Dental offers tips for handling dental emergencies on the road-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (June 19, 2006) – Summer time is here, and with it comes time for long-awaited summer vacations. Whether this year's destination is a weekend at the shore or a week in Waikiki, some will be faced with dental emergencies that can put a serious damper on summer fun. Taking a few simple precautions before traveling can potentially reduce the stress of an unexpected dental emergency and possible long-term damage to oral health.

"Familiarize yourself with your dental insurance coverage before you leave for vacation," recommends Dr. Scott Navarro, D.D.S., dental director, Delta Dental of New Jersey (Delta Dental). "Find out if your dental insurer offers simple resources, such as an on-line dentist locator, for finding network dentists in areas where you will be traveling. Also, take a close look at what type of coverage is available through your dental insurance plan. Fee-for-service, PPO-type and HMO delivery plans can vary in their in-network and out-of-network coverage."

Delta Dental also recommends packing a dental first-aid kit with supplies including:

• Nearby dentists' phone numbers
• 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
• Cold compresses

Also, jot down your dentist's name, address, telephone number and any pertinent information about your oral health, and keep the information in your wallet. And be sure to carry your dental insurance policy number and the phone number of your insurance company.

"Any pre-existing oral health issues should be addressed before you leave for vacation as well," continued Dr. Navarro. "Common vacation activities, such as scuba diving and flying, can cause dental problems to worsen through pressure changes."

Accessing Delta Dental on Vacation

Delta Dental of New Jersey is a member of the nationwide Delta Dental Plans Association, which covers nearly one-third of the estimated 155 million Americans with dental insurance and includes the participation of almost three out of every four U.S. dentists. Delta Dental of New Jersey offers members a toll free phone number, (800) DELTA-OK (335-8265), or its Web site, www.deltadentalnj.com, to search for participating dentists by name, location and specialty throughout New Jersey and Connecticut, and anywhere in the United States.

What to Do In Case of a Dental Emergency

It is helpful to know a few guidelines for handling dental emergencies should an incident occur on the road. Generally, the long-term prognosis for many patients is determined by the type of injury to the tooth and how much time elapses before treatment. If an injury occurs in a foreign country, contact the American embassy to find a reliable, English-speaking dentist.

Delta Dental recommends that travelers follow these tips should one of the following dental emergencies occur:

Knocked-out Tooth

• Retrieve the tooth.
• If tooth is dirty, hold by the crown and carefully rinse off its root. (Don't scrub tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments).
• If possible, gently insert the tooth back into its socket.
• If that attempt fails or is not possible, place the tooth in a container of milk or a cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt if milk is unavailable.
• Bring the tooth to a dentist as soon as possible.

Loosened (Extruded) Teeth

• If a tooth is pushed either inward or outward, try to reposition it using very little pressure. Don't force the tooth into its socket.
• Stabilize the tooth by holding it in place with a moist tissue or gauze.
• Contact dentist immediately.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

• Save pieces of the tooth.
• Rinse mouth with warm water to keep area clean.
• If there is bleeding, apply direct pressure to bleeding area with a clean cloth or piece of gauze.
• Use a cold compress for 5 to 10 minutes to keep the swelling down and relive pain.
• Contact dentist immediately.

Lost Filling

• Use an over-the-counter dental cement to temporarily fill the cavity.
• Contact a dentist immediately.

Lost Cap or Crown

• To reduce pain, apply oil of cloves to cotton, squeeze out the excess and cover the cavity.
• If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth using an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste or denture adhesive.
• Take a pain reliever as needed.
• See a dentist at your earliest convenience and bring the crown with you.

Soft Tissue Injury (Bitten Tongue or Lip)

• Apply direct pressure to bleeding area with a clean cloth or piece of gauze.
• Use a cold compress for 5 to 10 minutes to keep the swelling down and relieve pain.
• If bleeding doesn't stop, contact dentist immediately or go to a hospital emergency room.

Toothache

• Rinse mouth with warm water.
• Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to make sure that there is no food or other objects stuck between the teeth.
• If pain persists, contact a dentist.

Objects Caught Between Teeth

• Gently try removing object with dental floss. Do not sue anything sharp. Be careful not to cut the gums.
• Contact dentist if you can't remove the object.

Sources:

American Dental Association (www.ada.org)
www.webmd.com

About Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc.
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental system offers seamless dental benefits administration for employer groups throughout the country and the largest network of credentialed dentists in the nation. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.