Dental Emergency Travel Tips
What do you do when a dental problem hits you from without warning while you're out of town?
Here are some basic facts.
You're far from home when you have an emergency such as when you break a tooth or have sudden pain. How do you prepare for the unexpected? Packing Ibuprophen or a substitute, gauze, cotton, floss and paraffin (wax) can help. Note that Ibuprophen can be taken with a dose stronger than the bottle states according to WebMD.
Below are some tips on what to do when confronted by a dental emergency. Bear in mind that these are only temporary measures; you must seek dental treatment as quickly as possible. If you can't find a dentist on your
own, call a Local or State Dental Society.
If you're traveling abroad, ask the staff at your hotel. You may also contact the following sources of help.
- The International Association For Medical Assistance To Travelers, a network of doctors and medical institutions around the world (www.iamat.org; 716-754-4883).
- American Consulate or American Embassy in the country you are visiting.
- The American Dental Society of Europe (ADSE; www.adse.co.uk; Phone: 011 44 141 331 0088).
SELF HELP
Toothache
Rinse your mouth well with warm water and gently floss between the teeth to remove any trapped food. Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek if there is swelling and take a pain reliever. Never place an aspirin or any pain killers directly on the tooth or gum. A drug store product with Eugenol (oil of cloves) is often helpful. Follow the product's directions carefully.
Lost or loose temporary or crown
Clean the inside with a tooth brush carefully. Rinse thoroughly. Buy some powder denture adhesive and sprinkle
in inside very lightly. Brush and dry the tooth as much as possible. Replace the crown or temporary. Carefully avoid anything sticky or brushing or flossing the area.
Object Wedged Between Teeth
Gently remove the object with floss that has a knot tied in it. Try to avoid cutting the gums. Swish mouthwash in the area vigorously. Do not use a sharp instrument ever. If the area swells you need an antibiotic promptly.
Lost Filling
Brush the tooth with your tooth brush and tooth paste until no food remains. Dry and fill the cavity with paraffin wax and take Ibuprophen as mentioned above.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Rinse the tooth lightly in running water, but don't scrub it and touch it as little as possible. Put the tooth back in the socket and hold it firmly in place. If you can't reinsert the tooth, keep it in a glass of milk or a special tooth-preserving solution available at a nearby drug store. To improve the chances of the tooth being saved. Then try to get to a dentist within 30 minutes.
Bitten Tongue Or Lip
Put direct pressure on the bleeding area with a clean cloth and apply a cold compress to minimize swelling. If the bleeding doesn't stop in a few minutes, place a tea bag on the area and hold firmly for a few minutes. Go to a nearby hospital if nothing works. Sometimes stitches are needed.
Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth out with warm salt water, apply cold compresses to the cheek. You can apply Ambisol over the broken area and get to a dentist as soon as possible. If you are not uncomfortable it is not an emergency situation.
Possible Fractured Jaw
Use a handkerchief, necktie or towel tied around the head to immobilize the jaw. It should have the upper and lower teeth meshed. Get to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. Avoid any pain medications to reduce the chance of bleeding.