Whether you are traveling for business or on a personal vacation, tooth emergencies have the potential to derail your entire trip. We all know that dental problems can occur out of the blue and they can develop rather quickly. In this post, we will touch briefly on the common types of dental emergencies as well as some of the solutions you can opt for if you experience a tooth emergency while you’re away from home.
Common types of tooth emergencies
• Extruded tooth: When a tooth comes out of its socket partially or is knocked loose because of an injury, we call it an extruded tooth. It is extremely important to see a dentist fast so that the extruded tooth can be saved, especially if the tooth is not broken yet, and has its blood vessels and nerves still attached.
• Avulsed tooth: This is a serious tooth emergency as it means the tooth is completely knocked out. The good news is that there is a possibility the tooth can still be saved through a root canal and a re-implanting procedure.
• Chipped, cracked or broken tooth: A tooth can chip, crack or break either due to an accident or due to cavities. More serious cases will mean that the nerve endings in the tooth’s tissue are exposed to hot and cold foods and drinks. This will cause extreme discomfort and pain, which can come and go intermittently.
• Severe toothache: Severe toothaches are usually not a result of trauma, and only a dental visit can help give you the true cause of the toothache. Toothaches can be described as very painful and sometimes as a throbbing sensation.
• Lost crown or filling: Firstly, note that a lost crown or filling is rarely a dental emergency. However, it is the after-development that can constitute an emergency because when a crown or filling comes out, the exposed tooth tissue will be sensitive to temperature, pressure and even air.
Solutions for tooth emergencies on the road
Even if the above-mentioned dental emergencies arise when you are not traveling, they can be quite a handful to handle immediately. If you want to tackle tooth emergencies on the road, here are some solutions you can consider:
Get your teeth checked before you travel
Take preventive measures by letting your dentist address any tooth decay, filling, and other dental issues before you go on the road. If you are going to a remote area, this solution is highly recommended.
Ask for a referral from your dentist in your destination city
Your regular dentist might have a strong network with other dental professionals in other cities. You can try asking him or her for a referral so that in case you experience tooth emergencies, there’s an invaluable resource for you to tap into. You can also refer to online resources such as the American Dental Association or the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.
Use an over-the-counter painkiller if necessary
In some cases, you may not have immediate access to dental help if the tooth emergency occurs when you are still many miles away from your destination or during the wee hours of the night. You can then use an over-the-counter painkiller to control the pain, especially if you are having issues with a severe toothache or lost filling. Note that this is only a temporary measure, and you should see a dentist at the earliest convenient time to engage your tooth emergency effectively.
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