Many a vacation has been temporarily derailed by a dental emergency. As a dental practice in a heavily-touristed area, we often see visitors who are experiencing urgent situations involving their teeth. While prevention is key, a lecture from your dentist won’t do you any good while you are trying to escape your normal life for a week or two. Read on for some tips on how to handle minor dental urgencies during your holiday. If you experience severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, you need to locate a dentist in your area of travel for an emergency visit.
Gum Discomfort
Many times, the culprit here is trapped food or debris. Floss thoroughly and use diluted hydrogen peroxide to rinse and disinfect the area. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation, so it may appear worse than it really is.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
If you break a tooth and no pain is involved, you may be able to use a temporary dental restorative material for a do-it-yourself patch until you can be seen. This material can be found in pharmacies as well as many grocery stores. It is generally a powder and liquid that is mixed together, applied to the affected area, and allowed to harden.
Minor Tooth Discomfort
If your pain level is generally annoying as opposed to significant, you may try an Old Wive’s treatment by applying oil of clove to the affected area. Clove oil has a mild anesthetic effect and can temporarily relieve pain and sensitivity. This oil may be found at a pharmacy or health food store.
Take a Pic
Thanks to modern technology, we can often help determine if you should be seen professionally or if you can wait until you return from vacation. Using your cell phone, you can take a picture of the affected area and we may be able to diagnose via email. Sounds crazy but we do it all the time! Call our front desk team and they will get your information in the right hands.
We sincerely hope you don’t experience a dental emergency while traveling, but if you do, we stand ready to help get you back on track. With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Michael Gillespie and his award-winning team have the experience to treat your dental needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we may be of service!
