Summer is here, which means you can finally take the vacation you’ve been waiting for. The last thing you expect to greet you when you arrive is a dental emergency. Believe it or not, they are more common than you might think. 1 in 6 Americans experience a dental emergency annually. Although there’s never a good time for one to occur, if it happens while you’re away from home, a stressful situation can be even more difficult. Don’t panic! Here’s how to handle a dental emergency while on vacation.
Managing Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can occur with no warning, which can quickly ruin your vacation plans. They can take many forms, but here’s how you can manage the most common types of emergent oral health issues:
- Toothache: Take an over-the-counter pain reliever and eat soft foods. Sleep with your pillow elevated to stop blood from pulling in your head, which can intensify dental pain.
- Broken Tooth: Rinse your mouth with salt water to remove debris and kill bacteria. Bite on a piece of gauze if you have any bleeding and take an OTC pain reliever for any discomfort. Avoid chewing with your tooth until after it has been repaired.
- Dislodged Tooth: Gently push your tooth back into position and bite on a piece of gauze to prevent it from moving.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Hold your tooth by the crown and rinse it with cool water, but don’t use any soaps, and don’t scrub or dry it. Reinsert the tooth back into its socket.
- Lost Restoration: You can use a small dab of toothpaste as a temporary solution to hold your crown in place. Never use any glue or adhesives.
Don’t Wait to See a Dentist
Although you’ll be in an unfamiliar area, don’t wait to see a dentist or you might lose your tooth. Time is of the utmost importance. Find an emergency dentist near you to have the issue treated quickly. You’ll be back to enjoying every moment of your vacation quickly.
Prevent Dental Emergencies While Traveling
You can’t always stop a dental emergency from happening, but you can lessen your risk by scheduling a cleaning and checkup before you leave. Your dentist will examine your mouth to look for anything concerning that might turn into a problem while you’re gone. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your teeth and gums are healthy and your smile looks its best.
About Dr. Thomas A. Gromling
Dr. Gromling achieved his dental degree at the Medical College of Virginia and has regularly pursued continuing education in many specialties, including general dentistry and sleep medicine. He is affiliated with various professional organizations, like the American Dental Association and the International College of Dentists. If you have a dental emergency, request an appointment online or call (540) 508-8405.