Dental emergencies are scary enough when you’re at home, but when you’re traveling in an unfamiliar place, you will likely experience a whole new level of stress when confronted with a broken tooth, toothache, or any other unexpected situation. You don’t have to panic, though – keep reading for tips on how to handle an urgent dental problem when you’re out of town from your dentist in Lawrenceville.
Temporary Solutions to Common Emergencies
There are a few common dental emergencies that your dentist sees time and time again. Knowing what to do in the moments after each one will help you be prepared at home and while you’re traveling.
They include:
- Toothache: If you’re flying, you may experience a slight toothache on the plane. This is common and is caused by changes in air pressure when you take off and land. But if the toothache does not subside or develops suddenly during your trip, try flossing around the tooth to see if anything is stuck and causing discomfort. If that doesn’t do the trick, take Tylenol to ease the pain. That can help you manage until you get back to your dentist – but if the pain becomes too much, you may need to find dental care wherever you are.
- Cracked/broken tooth: This is a true emergency and is something that needs to be dealt with right away. Rinse your mouth out to remove any small fragments of tooth that may be floating in your mouth, and use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and inflammation. Then find an emergency dentist or head to the emergency room straight away.
- Dislodged or knocked out tooth: If the tooth remains in the gumline, try to put it back into the correct position. If it has been knocked out entirely, hold the tooth by the crown and rinse away any debris (do not scrub the root). Store it in the socket, in your cheek, or in a cup of milk or contact solution until you can obtain dental care. Seek help right away – the sooner you can get treatment, the greater the likelihood that the original tooth can be saved.
How to Find an Emergency Dentist
If you are traveling abroad and purchased travelers insurance, give them a call. The provider should be able to help you find an emergency dentist near you – and cover a portion of the cost as well. If you’re within the USA, a quick Google search can help you find an emergency dentist close by. The important thing is that you seek help right away, so don’t delay!
While you can never guarantee that you will not experience a dental emergency, you can prevent them by regularly brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist twice annually. So before you go on that big trip, don’t forget to book a checkup and cleaning to catch any problems that might be lurking! Doing so will help you truly relax when you’re on your trip, wherever you may be.
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Bruce E. Carter has been practicing dentistry since 1985, which means he has transformed countless smiles with his top-notch restorative and cosmetic dentistry services. Dr. Carter likes to help his patients maintain excellent oral health and encourages everyone to visit their dentist before summer vacation begins. To schedule your appointment, reach out to Transforming Smiles at (770) 995-7616.