Despite your best efforts, you can never fully anticipate exactly when or where a dental emergency can occur. When you’re at home and have an urgent issue, you probably already know to call your dentist to schedule a same-day appointment so you don’t have to wait for relief.
However, many people during the summer travel or go on vacation. What do you do when you’re in another city and develop a problem? The good news is that with the right knowledge and preparation, you can still enjoy your break, even if a dental emergency occurs. Continue reading to learn 4 tips for how to deal with dental emergencies that happen while you’re away!
Tip #1: Have A Checkup Before You Go
While it’s impossible to anticipate a sudden dental concern, there are things you can do to prevent them. One easy way to keep your grin in good condition is to schedule a checkup with your dentist every six months. This allows them to monitor your oral health and address any areas of concern as soon as they arise.
If you’re planning on heading out of town for summer vacation, it will only benefit you to see your dentist before you go. They’ll fill any cavities and clean your teeth so that you can feel confident that they’re in tip-top shape before you leave.
Tip #2: Maintain Consistent Dental Hygiene Habits
Summer break is ideal for taking time off work to kick back and relax away from all your usual routines and responsibilities. However, there are some habits you should keep up even if you’re not at home, like your oral care regimen. Although you may feel tempted to fall right into bed after a long day of traveling or sightseeing, doing so can hurt your dental health. Regardless of where you’re located, you should brush and floss twice daily to remove harmful plaque and bacteria buildup that can cause cavities or gum disease.
Tip #3: Pack What You Need
You already know that it’s important to continue cleaning your teeth during your time off, so you’ll need to have all the necessary supplies. Thankfully, it’s not hard to find travel-size items that fit easily into a suitcase or carry-on. Some helpful things to pack include:
- Collapsable toothbrush
- Small toothpaste
- Floss or flossing picks
- Mini mouthwash
- Cotton balls
- Tylenol or ibuprofen (in case of a toothache)
If you have dentures, clear aligners, braces, or other dental work, be sure to take everything you need, such as your carrier case, dental wax, and/or denture adhesive if you use it.
Tip #4: Make a Plan
While you’re busy researching where you want to go and building your itinerary, don’t forget to consider your smile. You can ensure that your teeth and gums will be cared for by purchasing a dental insurance plan if you don’t have one. Many come with a waiting period that must pass before services kick in, though, so make sure you’re aware of any potential restrictions.
You can also look up good emergency dentists at your destination location so that if the worst happens and you need immediate help, you’ll know who to contact and where to go.
Now that you know how to safeguard your grin while you’re on vacation, you can enjoy peace of mind without worrying about dental emergencies!
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Brong has more than 10 years of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain healthy, happy smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, then continued to build his skills with additional dental rotations, clerkships, and training. Now, he offers a full array of services to meet your and your family’s oral care needs all under one roof, including emergency dentistry. He provides same-day appointments as well as multiple forms of sedation so that you can get fast relief. If you’re having an issue that requires immediate attention, you can contact the office on the website or call (507) 288-1066.
