A Toothache In A Foreign Land

A toothache while traveling overseas can be more than just inconvenient. It can ruin an otherwise great vacation. The folowing are some tips for preventing a toothache before you get on that plane, and for treating it if you get one anyhow.

Travel Dental Care

Don't go on a long trip with an unresolved tooth problem, or even the hint of a toothache starting. Get it taken care of by a dentist first, and if there is still lingering pain, get a prescription pain reliever to take with you.

Get any dental work done far enough in advance of your trip. you want to be sure that all the pain is gone. A high spot on a new filling can cause severe pain days after it is put in. A dentist can easily solve this by grinding down the filling - but wouldn't you rather have it done by the dentist you know and trust?

Don't do anything that might cause toothaches or other dental problems while traveling. Just avoid eating popcorn, for example - it may be one of the worst foods for damaging teeth.

Brushing and flossing are a good idea on any trip, of course, but toothpaste may no longer be allowed on the plane. If you travel with just carry-on luggage, you 'll have to remember to buy toothpaste as soon as you arrive at your destination. Alternately, you can carry baking soda instead of toothpaste, since this will normally be allowed on the plane. Brushing and flossing are about prevention, of course, but what if your toothache starts while you're overseas?

Treating A Toothache While Traveling

Use aspirin if that is all you have. Tylenol #3 may be better for a severe toothache. You can also try antiseptics that contain benzocaine, applied directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Oil of cloves (eugenol) will work the same way. Avoid putting aspirin or other painkillers directly on your gums, as they may burn the tissue.

Sometimes tooth pain doesn't originate in the teeth, but in the sinus cavities. A sinus infection can put pressure on the gums, causing pain. In that case, you might need antibiotics to get relief. Temporary relief is possible if you can clear the sinuses, perhps by carefully steaming your face, or eating hot sauce.

For temperature sensitive teeth, you should obviously avoid hot and cold drinks. If the air outside is cold, it helps to breath through your nose. Breathing through your mouth lets cold air flow over your teeth. This can cause a lot of pain.

I have a toothache at the moment - my inspiration for this article. I noticed that each time we drive over a mountain pass here in Colorado, the pain intensifies. Going below 8,000 feet seems to take the pain away. If you have this problem, be prepared before you fly - not all planes are fully pressurized. Bring pain relief.

Should you go to a dentist in another country? You'll have to if it is an emergency - some toothaches are too severe to wait. Otherwise, you may want to just treat the pain until you get home. Of course, if the problem is simple, like a lost filling, some countries provide an opportunity for cheap dental care. But ask about the procedures first, to see that the dentists are using gloves and the latest tools.