How To Handle A Dental Emergency While On Vacation

When a dental emergency occurs while you’re out of town, it can be incredibly inconvenient. You can’t see your own dentist and you don’t know any dentists in the area. What should you do? First, don’t panic. Then take the following next steps. 

Determine the Severity of Your Emergency

In some cases what can seem like an emergency may be something that can wait until you return home and you can see your own dentist. The following situations are urgent: 

• Severe toothache. If you have tooth pain that cannot be managed with over the counter pain medication, you should seek immediate treatment. 
• Broken or badly chipped tooth. A tooth that is fractured or has a large chip should be treated as soon as possible to increase the chances of saving the tooth. 
• Knocked out tooth. A tooth that is knocked out needs to be put back into the socket as soon as possible in order to save it. If you can, put it back in the socket before seeking treatment. If not, put the tooth in milk or saliva until it can be placed back in the socket. 
• Infection. If you have signs of an infection, such as swelling, severe pain, abscess (a pocket of infected tissue), or fever, seek treatment right away. 

Situations that may not be urgent: 

• A small chip or crack. If your tooth is minorly chipped or cracked, you may be able to wait a few days before seeking treatment, meaning you may be able to wait until you get home depending on the length of your trip. 
• Minor toothache. A minor toothache that comes and goes or responds to over the counter pain medication can most likely wait to be treated. 
• A small mouth sore. A small sore, like a canker sore, should not need immediate treatment. Try a saltwater rinse to reduce pain and swelling. 

Find the Right Dental Professional

If you have determined that your situation requires immediate treatment, the next step is to find the right dental professional. A general dentist may be able to handle most dental emergencies, but a specialist can provide expert treatment that could mean the difference between saving and losing your tooth. 

When to See an Endodontist for Emergency Treatment 

In many cases dental emergencies are best handled by an endodontist. This is because an endodontist specializes in treatments that restore the health of teeth from the inside. A tooth that is infected, chipped, broken, cracked, or knocked out is at risk of permanent injury that could mean the tooth will need to be extracted. But endodontic treatment, such as a root canal or surgical procedure could save the natural tooth and allow it to remain in place in your mouth. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentistry

What if I’m not sure if my situation is an emergency or not? 

You can always give us a call, even if you’re not sure how serious your situation is. We will ask you some questions to determine the severity of your case and whether or not you need immediate treatment. 

How can I find an emergency dentist who takes my insurance? 

In an emergency you don’t always have time to check with every dentist to see if they accept your insurance. Advanced Endodontics works with most major dental insurance providers, so chances are we will accept your insurance and help make the most of your coverage. 

Dental Emergency in Central Florida? Call Advanced Endodontics

Central Florida is a common vacation area. If you’re on vacation in Orlando, Lake Mary, Clermont, Port Orange, or Winter Park and someone in your family experiences a dental emergency, Advanced Endodontics provides emergency treatment for anyone, even people who are not current patients of ours. We understand that you may need dental treatment while on vacation or a business trip, and we gladly provide emergency care.  

Contact us today at one of our 6 convenient locations and we will see you as soon as possible. If your emergency becomes life threatening, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.