Dental Emergency Tips When Traveling Abroad

While we can all agree that there’s no such thing as a good time for dental emergencies, they become more annoying and troublesome when they happen while you’re traveling abroad.

An excruciating toothache in the middle of a trip can really dampen the excitement, especially when you realize that emergency dental care in a foreign country isn’t always as accessible or convenient as what you’re used to at home.

Dealing with a dental emergency abroad can be quite a challenge so that’s why it’s important to take a few dental care precautions before traveling. A little dental preparation before you go can help minimize the risk of oral health issues and prevent dental emergencies from ruining your vacation.

Have Your Teeth Checked And Cleaned Before You Leave

It’s better to address dental health problems before leaving than to have them cause trouble while you’re far from home. Slip in a tooth check-up and cleaning with your dentist on one of the days leading to your trip. If you have decayed or cracked teeth or if you need any dental work done, address this before you fly out.

High altitudes can sometimes trigger tooth pain, especially when there’s already an existing dental problem. They may not always happen, but they do happen and they can happen to you. Besides, you know what they say, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

Research Available Dental Care In Your Destinations

Dental care standards and practices may be drastically different in your destination country. To avoid panicking during a dental emergency, take some time to learn about the expected level and quality of dental services in the area. Check for any dental clinics near your accommodation and take note of their contact numbers just in case you need it during your trip.

What To Do In Case Of Dental Emergencies Abroad

No matter how prepared a traveler you are, nobody can ever totally prevent dental emergencies from happening. You may have taken great lengths to ensure that your teeth are in great condition before leaving, but what if while on vacation you fall face first to the ground and lose a tooth in the process?

Aside from scheduling a pre-departure visit to the dentist and identifying dental care providers near your destination, you should also read up and learn how to appropriately respond to immediate dental emergencies.

When an emergency dental situation takes place during your travel abroad, here are some of the things you can do:

Toothaches

The nagging pain from a toothache can put anybody in a bad mood. Thankfully, it’s often relatively easy to relieve yourself of the pain.

In case of an aching tooth, cleanse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to make sure that there are no food pieces or debris stuck in between your teeth. Afterward, take some medication to ease the pain.

Broken Or Cracked Tooth

As with a toothache, the first thing to do when a tooth gets cracked or broken is to clean your mouth with warm water. Next, apply a cold compress on the part of the face nearest to the affected area to control the swelling that’s likely to follow, and then take some over-the-counter medicine to ease the pain.

Knocked-Out Tooth

One of the most important things to remember in case of a knocked-out tooth is to hold it by the crown and never by the root when picking it up. Immediately rinse the tooth in cool water and, if you can get a cup of milk wherever you are, put the tooth in it.

Search for the nearest emergency dentist and get yourself there right away. The rate of success for tooth reimplantation is higher if performed within one hour of the incident.

You’ll find these tips very helpful in case dental problems arise while you’re abroad. But remember that they are simply initial responses to dental emergencies. You still need to visit a dental practice in the area as soon as you can.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Stephanie McGuire is the content writer at Glendale Dental Group, an emergency dental care office located in 4419 W. Glendale Ave Glendale, AZ 85301. When not writing, she enjoys traveling and playing volleyball with her friends.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.