Vacation has arrived, and you couldn’t be more excited about spending a few weeks away from the hustle and bustle of work and everyday life. A few days into your two-week mountain getaway, you’re struck by immense pain growing in one of your teeth. Understandably, you become frustrated that this is happening to you while on vacation, but what do you do? To help you navigate this type of situation, let us explain what you should do if you have a dental emergency while traveling.
How to Tell if You Need Emergency Care
There is one thing you should remember whether you are traveling or not, if you are in pain, you need to seek treatment from an emergency dentist. While it could be something trivial that some dental floss can easily take care of, it could also be a more serious infection that might result in needing a root canal or tooth extraction, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
However, if you experience any of the following situations, don’t waste any time. Call your dentist as soon as possible:
- Swelling of the mouth or gums
- Sudden and immense pain
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Your tooth is knocked out or broken
- Injury to your soft tissue, gums, or mouth
- Loss of a filling or dental crown
How to Handle Certain Emergency Situations
While it’s natural to want to panic when an emergency occurs, the best course of action you can take is to first remain calm. Then, pick up the phone and call your emergency dentist. Depending on the severity of the problem, you might be able to wait until the next day to see your dentist for treatment. Until you are able to visit the dentist office, here are some tips to remember should an emergency arise while you’re on vacation:
- Toothache: If you’re flying and experience pain because of a chance in the air pressure, the discomfort you’re experiencing will go away once you land; however, if you have a tooth that is already cracked or has a cavity, the pain may be amplified. Just remember, once you land, the pain should dissipate. It is best to carry an over-the-counter pain reliever to help alleviate any discomfort.
- Knocked Out Tooth: Whether you have a tooth that becomes dislodged or lost, it is vital that you seek immediate attention. If you are able to retrieve the tooth, time is of the essence if you want to be able to save it. A local dentist may be able to replace it if seen quickly. Should you lose your tooth, once you find it, rinse it off with cool water and attempt to place it back in the socket. If you are unsuccessful, place it in a glass of milk or between your gums and cheeks to preserve it. Then, head to the emergency dentist as soon as possible.
- Cracked Tooth: While on vacation, you’re more likely to be doing things that are more dangerous or risky, so if you crack or chip a tooth, rinse out your mouth and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and inflammation. You’ll then want to visit the local emergency room or emergency dentist.
While on vacation, it’s natural to be unsure of how to go about finding a dentist. If you want to give yourself peace of mind, search for some emergency dentists in the area you’re traveling to in case something happens during your trip. Should an emergency arise while on vacation, make sure to contact your local dentist when you return home and schedule an appointment to have them evaluate your mouth and update your record.
About the Practice
Pelican Landing Dental is a family-friendly dental office that strives to make sure our patients are comfortable and receive high-quality dental care. Our team of expert dental professionals offer a wide range of comprehensive services in one convenient location. Have a dental emergency? We’re ready to help you whether it’s during or after normal office hours. Just call, and we’ll be happy to walk you through the steps while at home until you arrive at our office. To discuss the services offered, contact us via the website or call (239) 948-2111.
