Every Traveler`s Nightmare

Everyone looks forward to summer because it is the season of vacation, relaxation, and outdoor adventures. With that in mind, it is very important to remember that dental problems may still occur anywhere and at any time. Travelers fear dental emergencies especially when they are far from home. Here are a few tips on how to prevent, and worst case, how to handle these emergencies.

An Ounce of Prevention
To begin, it is always a good idea to make an appointment for a dental checkup prior to leaving on your trip. This is especially important if your destination is traveling to developing countries or remote areas where dental care isn't as dependable. During this checkup, be sure to have a good cleaning and to make sure the dentist doesn't see any developing problems that may occur when traveling.

When on the road, it is important to do as much as you can to avoid any further damage to your teeth. Be sure to stay away from popcorn kernels, hard candy and refrain from chewing ice. Dentists also advise you to never use your teeth when cutting tape or other materials.

If traveling with young kids, it is always a good idea to carry a first aid kit with you at all times. Did you know small dental emergency kits are also available? These kits often contain oil of cloves, an applicator, and a small container to hold lost teeth in.

But since even the most prepared traveler can encounter an emergency, below are a few tips on what to do when you`re far from home.

Toothache: Begin by rinsing your mouth with warm water. To ease the pain, use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. If pain continues, stick to soft foods, try to use an over the counter pain reliever, or dip a cotton ball in clove oil then insert it on the affected area until a local dentist can be seen.

Knocked – Out Tooth (permanent tooth, and not baby teeth): Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown, and gently rinse the tooth root with water if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If at all possible, try to put the tooth back into its place. If it`s not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (if milk isn't available, use a cup of water with a pinch of salt) or a product containing a cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth. Get to the closest dentist or ER as soon as possible.

Cracked or Broken Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Always apply cold compress to the area to control swelling. Immediately ¬contact a local dentist or hospital emergency room for further directions.

We want you to have a great summer vacation, and while we hope you never have to use any of these emergency measures, having the knowledge to deal with the unexpected should help you to relax and enjoy your time away.

On-call Emergency: Remember that Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury is available after hours if you are a patient of record and need to seek advice. Please visit wwww. shrewsburydentist.com/ for more information.