It can be exciting to travel overseas for work, but nothing ruins a good time quite like the sudden onset of a severe toothache or another dental emergency. Luckily, it’s not difficult to get emergency dental care when you’re out of town if you take the proper precautions. Here’s a quick guide to how to handle oral health crises while overseas, including how to prevent them, how to prepare in case they strike, and how to get the care you need.
Prevention Is Better Than a Cure
It’s always better to prevent a dental emergency rather than have to deal with one, so it’s a great idea to schedule your next dental appointment a few weeks before you travel overseas. This way, your dentist can examine and clean your mouth and schedule any necessary restorative treatments before your trip, which is often enough to keep oral health emergencies from happening.
It’s also imperative that you keep up with proper oral hygiene while traveling. Make sure to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and a travel-sized bottle of antibacterial mouthwash so you can keep your mouth clean on the road.
Be Prepared
With a little research ahead of time, you can find the contact information of an emergency dentist at your destination in case an oral health crisis strikes. You may even want to ask your dentist at home if they can recommend a dental professional in the area. Once you have identified an emergency dental provider, ask your dentist at home to set up a line of communication with them in case they need to exchange your dental records.
Know Your Options
It’s possible that a dental crisis will strike when there isn’t an emergency dentist available. If this happens, head for the local emergency room. While the staff there will not be able to address your dental problems directly, they will be able to give you antibiotics to control infections and pain relievers to keep you comfortable until the emergency dentist’s office opens. In the case of a dislodged tooth, they may be able to treat it so that it stays in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours.
Traveling abroad should be an exciting and educational experience. With the proper precautions, you can minimize your risk of an inconvenient dental emergency and know how to get the help you need in case one strikes.
About the Author
Dr. James Nelson earned his dental doctorate at the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans and completed the Heartland Aesthetic Continuum. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association and the Louisiana Dental Association. His office in Metairie offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (504) 887-3311. For non-emergency concerns, feel free to contact the office online.