How to Handle Dental Issues When You’re Traveling for the Holidays

The upcoming holidays are an excellent time to travel, visit family and friends, and relax. But what happens if a dental issue springs up while you’re not at home? This kind of emergency can cause total panic. Are there ways to handle dental issues while you’re traveling? Are there ways to avoid dental problems? Here are some tips on how to handle dental issues while traveling.

Potential Dental Issues That Could Arise

Several types of dental issues could occur while you’re traveling over the holidays.

• Toothache
• Chipped or Cracked Tooth
• Missing Tooth
• Missing Crown or Filling
• Abscess

Any of these issues will put you in a state of discomfort, and if they pop up during travel, they can cause many problems. So, you will want to be prepared.

How to Be Prepared for Dental Issues While Traveling

There are essential checklist items you can add to your to-do list before you leave.

• Bring an Emergency Dental Travel Kit
  If you are prone to dental problems, bring along an emergency dental kit. This kit could include pain relievers, gauze, a mirror, dental cement, and dental floss. You may also want to bring a small container in which you will store a tooth or crown if it falls out.
• Research Local Dentists in the Area
  Know before you go. Do research online and locate dentists in the area to which you will be traveling. If you aren’t sure, ask friends and family who live in the area.
• Check Your Insurance Coverage
  Before you head out, call your insurance provider to confirm that dentists in the area accept your coverage.

How to Handle Dental Issues While Traveling

So you’re traveling, and you encounter a dental emergency. Here’s the best way to handle it.

• Evaluate the Damage
  If a dental emergency should occur, it may be something that can wait until you travel home. It will always be a better idea to visit your dentist at home. If your situation is not urgent, you may want to wait to have it treated.
• Work on Pain Management
  Pain relievers and cold compresses can help you manage the pain your situation is causing.
• Locate and Contact a Local Dentist
  It’s time to access the local dentists you put on your emergency list. If you genuinely have an urgent dental need, you will want to contact this dentist as soon as possible.
• Save the Tooth
  Have you lost a tooth or crown? Save it! If it’s a crown, place it in a small container and present it to your dentist upon arrival. If you’ve lost a tooth, try to reposition that tooth back in the mouth. If you are unable to do this, place the tooth in a small container of milk and keep it moist until you are able to get to the dentist.
• Work On Temporary Solutions
  Use your emergency kit to do your best to achieve a temporary solution.

Make Good Choices During the Holidays to Avoid Issues

Overall, try to make good decisions about what you eat while you’re traveling. If you are prone to dental issues, try to avoid sugary snacks, acidic foods, or hard candies. Brush and floss regularly, and if possible, avoid stress.

Brush Regularly, and Make Sure to See Your Dentist

Keeping

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