Preparing for a Dental Emergency While Traveling

Dark-haired man cringes in pain and touches his cheek due to a toothache dental emergency

No matter when or where they occur, dental emergencies can involve pain and stress. If a dental emergency occurs here in Leesburg, you know that you can call our Leesburg Family Dental team for help. But are you prepared to handle a dental emergency while you’re traveling?

As we enter the last months of the year, we know that many of our patients and their families are planning holiday vacations. A little forethought and planning can reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency while traveling, as well as empower you to confidently handle the situation if one does occur.

Reduce Your Risk

Keep up with regular professional cleanings and exams from our smile team. If we see you routinely, we can prevent and treat many dental problems before they develop into painful, serious emergencies. Additionally, don’t take a vacation from proper oral healthcare practices while traveling. Continue to:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time
  • Floss at least once a day
  • Brush your tongue every day
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Use your sleep apnea machine
  • Wear your custom nightguard if you grind your teeth
  • Wear your custom athletic mouthguard during any contact sports or extreme physical activities
  • Avoid tobacco products

Plan in Advance

No matter where you are, you should seek urgent dental treatment if you’re experiencing severe mouth pain. So before you arrive at your destination, decide on which emergency facilities you’d go to if you need professional care. If you’ll be traveling abroad, the local U.S. Embassy or an ex-pat group may have helpful referrals for emergency dental treatment.

Research How to React

In case a dental emergency does occur, you’ll want to have some basic knowledge about how to handle certain scenarios. For example, if a tooth gets knocked out, gently rinse the tooth and either place it back in its socket, between the cheek and gum, or in a glass of milk while seeking immediate emergency treatment. This increases the chances the natural tooth can be saved. In the event of a broken tooth, severely chipped tooth, or a toothache, gently rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater mixture. This will help clean the area and ease your discomfort.

We’re Here to Help You Prepare!

To ask our team questions about how to respond to any other dental emergencies, or to schedule your next appointment at our office, contact us today.

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