You’re traveling abroad, having the time of your life, and then suddenly it starts to rain on your parade: you have a dental emergency, far from home and your regular dentist — it’s a traveler’s nightmare! Don’t let a toothache, or any other dental emergency, ruin your trip. Here’s how to handle a dental emergency while traveling abroad:

See the Dentist Before Your Trip

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! It’s a good idea to make an appointment at the dentist for a checkup before you leave. This is an especially good idea if you’re heading to a developing country or a remote area without access to good dental care. Having a professional cleaning is the best way to catch any problems that may be brewing.

For instance, if you’re going to need a root canal soon, it’s best to do so before flying on an airplane as the pressure changes during flight can cause discomfort and maybe even exacerbate the infection. Most insurance policies don’t cover dental treatment obtained overseas, so it makes a lot of sense to take care of any potential problems before leaving.

Consult Your Dentist

If it’s possible, call your home dental office right away for advice on how to handle your dental emergency. Since they know your whole dental history, they’re in the best position to make recommendations. They’ll tell you whether or not you should seek treatment immediately or if you can stick it out until you get home. They can also recommend first aid or temporary treatments, like the ones below.

• Toothache: If you have a toothache while traveling, first rinse your mouth with clean, warm water. Next, you should floss to remove any debris caught between the teeth. Try taking aspirin. If the pain persists, make sure you come see us when you return.
• Chipped or Broken Tooth: Save the pieces! Rinse your mouth and also the pieces with warm water. If there’s bleeding, use gauze to stem the bleeding. Use a cold compress on the cheeks to keep down swelling. Visit us as soon as you get home!
• Lost Filling: Use sugarless gum (as gum with sugar will cause pain) or over-the-counter dental cement to cover where the filling was until you can come in.
• Broken Braces or Wires: Broken braces or wires can poke you in the mouth and cause discomfort. It’s best to have a stash of dental wax with you while traveling so that you can handle these situations. Don’t ever cut the wire, as it can be accidentally swallowed or breathed into the lungs.

See a Local Dentist

If you’re staying at a hotel, the concierge is often a great source of information for finding a dentist locally. It’s a good idea to contact the American Embassy in the country where you are traveling to get assistance in finding a dentist. Since some countries do not require a license to practice dentistry, we recommend that you ask for credentials and only use a dentist that uses gloves and with whom you can communicate clearly.

Schedule an Appointment Upon Your Return

Whether or not you received treatment while abroad, it’s a good idea to visit your regular dentist when you’re back so they can see what was done and make an revisions, if necessary. You also might need follow-up care.