Dental problems can happen anytime, anywhere. Even when you’re on vacation. Whether it’s a broken tooth, a lost filling or crown, or even a knocked out tooth, there are things you can do to keep your dental problem from ruining your vacation. At my Holland dental office, we’re full of tips and tricks that can help.
If you’re planning a vacation out of town, the first step you can take to help avoid dental problems is to schedule a visit with your Holland dentist before you leave. A pre-vacation checkup will make sure your mouth is healthy and no potential problems are lingering, just waiting to explode when you embark on your relaxation getaway. Even if you do schedule a checkup before your trip, there is still a chance a dental problem will occur.
One of the best ways to deter a dental emergency while on vacation is to be careful what you eat. Popcorn, sticky sweets, and ice cubes are all dangerous for your smile and can cause some unwanted problems. You should also avoid using your teeth to rip open packaging or to hold objects when your hands are full.
If a dental emergency does happen, following the tips below can help keep your vacation intact.
Dental Emergency Tips:
Chipped or Broken Tooth – First rinse the mouth and any broken pieces with warm water. Relieve any bleeding by applying gauze and a little bit of pressure to the area. Swelling and pain can be reduced with a cold compress.
Knocked Out Tooth – Act fast. If you can find the tooth, only handle it by the tooth crown, not the roots. Try to replace the tooth into the socket. If you can’t, place the tooth in milk and get to a dentist. Your tooth has the best chance of survival if it’s returned to the socket within an hour.
Object Stuck Between Teeth – Whatever you do, don’t use anything sharp when attempting to remove the pesky piece. Simply use some floss to gently wiggle between your teeth and dislodge the particle.
Lost Filling – Dental cement found over-the-counter, or sugarless gum (it has to be sugarless or it can cause pain!), can temporarily fill a cavity.
Soft-Tissue Injury – These types of injuries tend to bleed easily and for awhile. Try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water to clean the wound, then hold a damp piece of gauze to the site of injury while applying some pressure. Pair that with a cold compress on the side of the mouth.
Planning your summer vacation? Give my Holland dental office call to schedule a visit before you leave! We’ll make sure your smile is vacation ready, healthy, and ready for the getaway. We can also talk about more dental emergency tips at your appointment.
Serving patients in Holland, Saugatuck and Zeeland.
Dr. Jeffrey Huisman comes from a family of dentists. He had already been exposed to dentistry long before he graduated high school when he helped at his father's dental office. Eventually, he joined his father's practice. Dr. Huisman has trained with recognized practitioners and academics and regularly keeps up with the latest techniques and advancements in the dentistry field. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
