How To Handle A Dental Emergency When You’re Far From Home
Summer is just around the corner, and we don’t know about you, but we are excited! We are looking forward to relaxing summer days, spending time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, and taking a much-needed vacation. Last summer, many of us had to cancel summer travel plans, but this year, travel seems to be a possibility once more. While it’s never something fun to think about, there is always the potential for a dental emergency while traveling this summer. We want to give you some tips to help ensure that you are prepared should an emergency arise. Read on to learn more.
Dealing With a Dental Emergency
We know that emergencies happen. It would be great if they didn’t happen while on vacation, but unfortunately that isn’t always possible. For minor dental emergencies, as with any emergency, first and foremost, it is important to remember to stay calm. Evaluate the situation and assess the needs of the injured.
Dental Discomfort
We recommend brushing and flossing thoroughly when discomfort arises. There could be food trapped between teeth or an irritation that needs to be cleaned. If the discomfort continues, take some over-the-counter pain medication until you can visit our office.
Lost Filling or Crown
If a filling or crown falls out, purchase some dental wax to cover the area. This will help protect the tooth from becoming infected and hide any rough edges that can cut or scratch your gums or tongue.
Bitten Lip or Tongue
Biting your lip or tongue can be extremely painful. We suggest cleaning the area and using ice as a compress to help limit swelling of the area. If there is a large amount of blood, we recommend visiting the nearest emergency room for further evaluation.
One of the best ways to avoid a dental emergency is to stay up to date on your hygiene examinations. We recommend that patients visit our office every six months for an appointment. Patients who maintain their routine appointments have fewer dental emergencies than patients who don’t. During the examination, we inspect for potential issues and treat problems as they arise.
If you experience a dental emergency this summer, be sure to call our office located in The Woodlands as soon as possible so we can bring you into the office for an appointment. If you are dealing with a severe emergency, we recommend heading to the nearest hospital. We hope you have a safe summer!
