TOOTH SMART DENTAL BLOG

dental emergency blog post

How to avoid Dental Emergencies on your next trip

We all love spending quality time, having fun with family or friends, away from life’s daily hustle/bustle. Whether it is a family trip to Bali or a friend’s reunion at Fiji or a solo trip to New York, we want to have a good time and enjoy yourself. The last thing you want is a toothache or any other dental emergency.

As we all understand, getting dental treatment done in a new place or a different country can not only be difficult but expensive also. Having a sore tooth while you are on your holiday is no fun. So as they say it is better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, if you are planning for an overseas holiday, prepare yourself in the best possible way so as to avoid any dental visits.

So what can you do before travelling?

  1. Get a dental Check up done:

If you get routine dental checkups done every 6 months with your dentist, the likelihood of having any dental emergency is less. If you have not been to the dentist in a while, get a full check up done at least 12 weeks prior to your travel. This gives you enough time to get any urgent dental treatment done before you leave. It is always a good idea not to leave the dental visit til the very last minute. You are getting the check up done to make sure nothing needs urgent attention. So if something does need urgent attention, you should have enough time to sort it out before your travel.

  1. Don’t put off any slight toothache or pain:

Any slight toothache or pain which you may have been putting up with or avoiding seeing the dentist for can turn into a dental emergency. Especially if you are flying, air pressure imbalance can cause some pain in your tooth/teeth. It is most likely to happen if you have an existing crack or cavity or filing. It can expand because of the air pressure imbalance resulting in toothache. Usually this type of pain will or should go away once you land, but if it does not then you may have to consider seeing a dentist. That is why if you are experiencing any occasional or minor toothache or pain, don’t put it off, and make sure you get it checked well in advance of your trip to allow time for any treatment that might be needed.

  1. Travel Dental Insurance Cover:

You can always check with your health insurance provider if they cover overseas emergency dental costs. If not, look into alternative dental insurances or plans for peace of mind.

  1. Travel Essentials

Always make sure that you pack all your dental supplies so that you have it with you when you need it. It will also help in maintaining your daily oral hygiene regime in a new place. Your oral hygiene should have a toothbrush / toothpaste / floss / mouthwash. It is a good idea to have some over the counter pain killers with you as well.

  1. What to do in case of dental emergency:

If you do end up having a dental emergency during your travel, in case you have travel dental insurance check with your insurance provider to get a referral to see a local dentist. Travelers can obtain information on availability of treatment from the consular services provided though Australia’s Embassy High commission and consulates. Where there is no Australian overseas post, Canadian Embassy, High commissions and consulates provide this advice to the Australian citizens. If you do see a dentist overseas for any emergency dental treatment, always request a written report including radiographs to be passed on to your regular dentist when you return.

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