Toothache on Holidays!

Toothache on holidays! What a nightmare. Here’s some top tips to help prevent you ruining your time away because of toothache.

* Ensure routine examinations are up to date before setting off.
Your dentist may be able to spot any areas which look like they could potentially cause you a problem and will advise if treatment is recommended before you go.

* Try not to start treatment just before you go on holiday. Going away with a temporary solution such as a temporary crown is best avoided. These are temporary solutions and are therefore more at risk of breaking or becoming dislodged meaning you will be left with an unprotected tooth until you can get it treated.

* Don’t forget your toothbrush!
Depending on where you’re travelling to it might not be so easy to just pop to the shops and get a new one.
Keep up with your cleaning regime, plaque doesn’t go on holiday just because you do! You may be snacking more throughout the day too so adding an extra clean at some point would only be a good thing.
It’s also recommended to use bottled water outside the UK to brush your teeth to avoid picking up any nasty bugs from the water.

* If you’ve been experiencing a niggle, get it checked out! A niggle, even if it comes and goes, is usually a sign that something isn’t right. The last thing you need is that annoyance in the background flaring up and raising it’s ugly head while you are away!!

* Why not treat your smile to a scale and polish? Not only will this allow for a good clean and assessment of the teeth and gums but will tackle some staining and have your smile looking it’s best for all those holiday snaps.

So you’ve done your best before you go but sometimes toothache just can’t be avoided and here’s our tips on how to cope when it gate-crashes your holiday.

* Have some painkillers at hand. It could flare up on an evening and you might not find an appointment for a day or two.

* Familiarise yourself with the area your are in and find a reputable dentist. If you are in a foreign country try and find one that speaks English so they can understand exactly your description of the problem and you can understand fully what treatment is recommended and going to be carried out.

* Take with you the contact details for your regular dentist. The dentist you visit may need to contact them for x-rays of some background information on the problematic area. You can also request that the holiday dentist forward any notes and x-rays which they take to your regular dentist so they can update your record at their end.

* For all of our Practice Plan members you can relax about the cost of your surprise dental visit because one of the many perks of being a plan member is that you all receive worldwide emergency cover and worldwide dental accident cover…. lucky you! Just pay for your treatment at the time, take copies of your receipts home with you and we will help you sort out the rest
🙂
For anyone who hasn’t joined our fabulous plan yet it would be a good idea to still request your receipts as some travel insurance and even some that come as a perk of your credit card will cover part of your emergency treatment while away.
Take the contact details of the dentist you visited too as sometimes insurance companies need a bit more information than what is visible on a receipt.

* If you are unlucky enough to have a fall which knocks your tooth out pop it in milk and seek dental assistance ASAP. That’s why it’s a good idea to know which dentist you can visit should an emergency like this happen.

* You may be prescribed some antibiotics and all we can advise is that you take these as instructed. Missing a dose or taking it hours late is not going to effectively help the situation so try and be strict with your timings.
Also let the dentist know if you are allergic to any medications so they can prescribe accordingly. Its a good idea to let them know when you arrive at the clinic of any medications you are currently taken and any medical conditions you have. They may not ask, but pass on the info anyway.

So that’s our top tips. Being on holiday with toothache or someone with toothache is certainly not fun. Here in Aviemore we see a lot of holiday makers in need of our assistance over the holiday months.
Broken teeth, lost crowns, missing fillings and abscesses are the most common complaints.
We keep appointments available every day for these sorts of emergencies and do our best to relieve the pain, treat the problem and allow them to enjoy the rest of their holiday.

We hope you enjoy yours toothache free
🙂