Having a dental emergency while traveling can cause considerable stress, compounding the pain and anxiety you already feel due to dental damage or infection. Knowing how to prepare for a dental emergency on a trip and how to care for an injury or infection can protect your health and smile.
Common Dental Emergencies While Traveling
Some of the most frequent dental emergencies travelers face while on the road or visiting a new city or country away from home include:
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Toothache: A toothache can occur for various reasons, such as a cavity exposing the soft tissue underneath the enamel, a cracked door, gum disease, or an infection.
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A broken or chipped tooth: Travelers may suffer a chipped or broken tooth when accidentally biting down on a non-edible item like a bone or shell or after falling and hitting their head or face on an object or the ground.
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A knocked-out tooth: A significant impact to the head or face can cause a tooth to come loose and fall out.
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Lost filling or crown: A traumatic blow to the head/face can also knock a person’s filling or crown out of a tooth.
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Abscess or infection: Signs of an infection or abscess in the mouth include extreme pain, swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold food/drink, bleeding, colored discharge, or a visible sore. Abscesses and infections require immediate attention and treatment to prevent permanent damage or more severe complications.
Immediate Steps to Take
When you experience a dental emergency during travel, immediate steps you should take to protect your health include:
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Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress if you begin to experience swelling.
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Use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as topical gels, you can apply to the affected tooth/area.
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Keep a knocked-out tooth in milk, saliva, or a specialized tooth preservation kit to preserve the tooth in case a dentist or dental surgeon can restore the tooth.
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Use temporary dental cement to reattach a knocked-out or broken crown until you can obtain a permanent repair.
Finding Emergency Dental Care While Traveling
When you visit a new city or country, you may not know where to go for emergency dental care or dental surgery. Some of the places where you might look to find emergency treatment while traveling include:
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Contact your hotel’s concierge desk or medical officer for a referral to a nearby reputable emergency dental clinic.
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Search online resources such as Google/Apple Maps, review websites like Yelp, or online dental directories.
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Contact your travel insurance provider (if you purchased coverage) for a referral to a covered emergency dental provider in your area.
Finally, you can contact your dentist back home for referrals to emergency providers near you or for advice regarding initial treatment and temporary measures you can take to protect your dental health until you see a provider.
Preventative Measures to Take Before Traveling
Travelers can reduce their chances of suffering a dental emergency while traveling by taking preventative measures such as:
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Practice good oral hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use can help reduce the risk of cavities, tooth decay, gum issues, or infections that may begin causing symptoms while on a trip.
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Schedule check-ups before long trips: When you plan to go on a trip that will keep you away from home for more than a few days or if you cannot quickly return home if you have a dental emergency, consider scheduling a check-up with your dentist to make sure you do not have any issues that can turn into significant emergencies during your trip, such as tooth cracks, developing cavities, or signs of gum disease or infection. Your dentist can treat or repair issues before your trip so they do not cause problems while away from home.
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Pack dental emergency kits: Pack a dental emergency kit (ideally in your carry-on luggage if you plan to fly) that includes oral pain relievers, floss, gauze, temporary filling material, and tooth preservation kits.
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Review dental insurance: If you have dental insurance, review your policy’s terms to determine whether your insurance will cover emergency care during your travel, especially if you plan to travel to another country.
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Purchase traveler’s insurance with dental coverage: As an additional layer of security, consider purchasing traveler’s insurance that provides coverage for emergency dental care. The traveler’s insurance company can also direct you to covered emergency dental clinics near you if you suffer an emergency during your trip.
Contact Us Today
When you need emergency dental care in New York, can provide the treatment and care you need to obtain relief and protect your dental health. Contact today at to learn more about our emergency dental treatment services.
