While it’s impossible to predict when you will have a dental emergency, being prepared beforehand can make all the difference in your outcome. Many people regularly travel overseas for business, but few of them think to make arrangements for a dental crisis in case they have one while abroad. Here’s how you can be prepared for a dental emergency while away from home if you’re visiting the United States for business purposes.
Prevention Is Better Than a Cure
The best way to prepare for a dental emergency is to prevent it in the first place. Luckily, most dental emergencies can be avoided with proper oral care and a little common sense. To keep your teeth healthy, stick to a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash while seeing your dentist for exams and cleanings at least twice a year. You should also limit your consumption of refined sugar, which can feed harmful oral bacteria, and take care to wear a mouthguard when playing sports or to bed if you grind in your sleep.
Find a Dependable Dentist Ahead of Time
Since you can’t predict when a dental emergency will strike, it’s a great idea to find an emergency dentist working in the locale you will be visiting on business. A quick Internet search will probably provide you with a selection of dental offices, but you may want to ask your usual dentist if they can recommend anyone. You can also ask your dentist to establish a line of communication with the office in the area you’ll be visiting in case they need to exchange information.
The Emergency Room Is the Next Best Thing
If you are too far away from the dentist’s office or if your emergency strikes after business hours, head to the emergency room. While they won’t be able to provide you with the dental treatments you need, they can address issues like bleeding and prescribe pain relievers to manage discomfort and antibiotics to prevent infection until you can get to a dentist’s office. If your tooth has been dislodged, they may be able to treat it so it stays in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours.
Planning for a dental emergency ahead of time can save you from much suffering and expensive restorative work later. This way, your business trip can be as pleasant as possible despite having a tooth-related crisis.
About the Practice
OakBrook Dental and Orthodontics is proud to serve patients of all ages with excellent oral health services in McKinney, TX. Led by Drs. Nathan Coughlin, Manhvu Nguyen, VinhSon Nguyen, and Stephanie Weng, the staff ensures that each patient is treated to personalized care that meets their needs. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you’re going to be visiting the area soon and want to have an emergency dentist on hand, contact the office online or dial (469) 526-4040.