Just because you’re working doesn’t mean you will necessarily have access to your dentist. For one, the global economy has made working overseas more common than ever before. However, what do you do when a dental emergency occurs and you aren’t able to visit your dentist for care? According to an emergency dentist in Century City, there are steps you can take depending on the type of emergency you’re experiencing. Keep reading to learn tips to manage these emergencies and more!
Got Travel Insurance? Call Your Provider
Those who travel often are likely to have travel insurance in the event something bad happens, whether it’s a regular emergency or a dental one. If you have travel insurance to utilize, call them up and have them refer you to a provider in your area. When living in the United States, finding a dentist to call for emergency care is a relatively straightforward process, especially if you are in a major city. In other cases, it may be better to find a dentist that offers emergency walk-ins when time is truly of the essence.
Toothaches
Toothaches can have a wide variety of causes. For example, those who may be flying in a plane can experience them due to the constant changes in pressure. When air enters your mouth and gets into the small spaces of your teeth, especially teeth that have been restored with dental crowns or fillings, it can expand and cause pressure. If the discomfort continues once you’ve landed, use dental floss to remove any food debris that may still be present. Take a painkiller like ibuprofen to manage any discomfort.
Broken or Cracked Teeth
When a tooth is broken, you’ll want to get in touch with a nearby dentist or visit one that accepts emergency walk-ins. Until you do arrive, rinse your mouth out with cold water and apply a cold compress to your cheek for about 10 minutes at a time. As a last resort, you can also visit an emergency room to have your pain managed.
Dislodged or Knocked-Out Tooth
Also considered an urgent dental emergency, a dislodged tooth should be kept inside the socket for as long as possible. This will keep it better preserved. If the tooth has been completely knocked out, you should rinse the root if there is dirt or debris on it and avoid touching or removing any tissue still attached. Keep it preserved in milk, saltwater, saline solution, or saliva if nothing else is available. Get to a dentist as soon as possible to improve the chances of the tooth being reattached.
Dental emergencies can occur at virtually any time, which is why it’s so important to be prepared in the worst-case scenario. If you’re dealing with a dental emergency overseas, chances are there’s a dentist in your area ready to help!
About the Author
Dr. Jason Kboudi has over two decades of experience in the field and can address a wide variety of dental emergencies in his office. On top of that, he works hard to get you seen for emergency dental treatment the same day it occurs as well as get you out of pain as quickly as possible. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency and need help, don’t wait. You can call his office through his website.