Everyone loves a good summer vacation. Every year, millions of people go abroad or across the country to find a new world of adventure and relaxation at campsites, amusement parks, natural wonders, and other exotic locales. Unfortunately, risks to your dental health are going to be anywhere you go on Earth. Just in case a dental disaster decides to strike, here are some tips for managing the situation and securing the best treatment results while on the road.
What Can Happen?
If you’re planning to fly, it’s good to know that toothaches in the air are not uncommon. As the airplane gains altitude, the lower ambient air pressure causes this air trapped in cracks or pockets in the teeth to expand, causing significant discomfort. If you experience a toothache in the air, it should resolve itself during or after landing, but it might be time to seek the help of a dental professional if it persists.
You might only think you’re risking a broken or cracked tooth if you’re into adventure vacations out in the wilderness, but anyone can slip or accidentally take a tumble no matter where they are, even while crossing the street or being seated at a restaurant. Either way, it’s a dental emergency that requires immediate action. Use cold water to rinse your mouth and apply a cold compress to the cheek on your way to the dentist or an emergency room.
If a Tooth Is Knocked Out Entirely, Keep These Rules in Mind:
- Never touch the root. Hold the tooth by the crown.
- If dirty, quickly and gently rinse the tooth in a bowl of lukewarm water. Don’t hold it in a cloth.
- Try to keep the tooth in the socket. If that doesn’t work, hold it in a cheek, a small container with saliva, or a cup of milk for transport to the dentist.
- Act quickly. Remember that the chances of saving the tooth decrease after about a half hour.
It’s All in the Preparation
Before arriving at your destination, you might want to scope out dentists in the area. Your family provider might be able to recommend someone. Set up a line of communication between your dental care provider at home and the dentist at your vacation spot in case they need to communicate.
You might want to schedule a pre-vacation checkup to catch anything you might not be seeing before it grows into a problem you’ll notice. Your dentist could even fix cracks in your teeth to prevent any aviation-related toothaches.
Summer vacation is a time to relax, party, venture, and leave your everyday worries behind. By being prepared for dental emergencies, you stand to make the most of your hard-earned excursion no matter what happens.
About the Author
Dr. Beverly Rose received her DMD from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and has been in private practice in the Melbourne area since 1996. She leads the team at Exceptional Dentistry in their pursuit of providing the best dental care. She provides services such as general and preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and dental implants. For more information, contact the office online or dial (321) 259-4666.