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How to Handle a Dental Emergency When on Vacation

Yaffa Baslaw
January 23, 2019

You probably spend plenty of time planning for your vacation, but  chances are you are not planning ahead for the possibility of any dental emergencies!

Despite the most beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery and 5 star accommodations, a bad toothache, or worse, could just ruin what would otherwise have been a great trip.

One simple way to reduce the possibility of dental emergencies while away—before leaving home, schedule a cleaning. The dentist will be able to get a good look inside and identify any potential issues that may have thus far been undetected.

Air travel causes changes in pressure, and that can cause pain if there are any defects in your fillings or teeth.

It's also a good idea to take along your dentist name/contact info along with you, as well as your dental benefits policy info, should you need it for emergencies while away.

Even with advance planning, the unexpected can occur. Here are some quick remedies for some common dental emergencies:

  1. Got a toothache? Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  2. Swelling in your mouth/gums? Hold a cold compress to your cheek. (Note: DO NOT put aspirin directly on the gums or sore tooth – it can burn gum tissue)
  3. Chipped or broken tooth? Rinse with warm water, then apply gauze to area for 10 minutes.
  4. Knocked out a tooth?  Hold it by the crown and try to replace the tooth facing the right way (Note: if you cannot replace it immediately, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water with pinch of salt. A tooth has the best chance to be saved if returned to the socket within an hour!)
  5. Lost a filling? Put sugarless gum into the cavity.
  6. Lost a crown? Use a cotton swab to apply a bit of oil of clove to the tooth, then try to slip the crown back over the tooth. Or, temporarily coat the inside surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, denture adhesive or even toothpaste.

A little planning and preparation can insure your mouth stays healthy and problem free during your next big vacation!

For further information, visit us at www.deltadentalnj.com

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About Yaffa Baslaw