{"id":20015,"date":"2022-12-06T11:47:09","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T16:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20015"},"modified":"2023-03-20T08:29:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T13:29:30","slug":"how-to-deal-with-dental-issues-while-traveling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/how-to-deal-with-dental-issues-while-traveling\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal with Dental Issues While Traveling"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a frequent traveler, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll experience the occasional <\/span>medical or dental issue while away from home.<\/span><\/a> While this can definitely be an inconvenience, handling it doesn\u2019t have to be. Figuring out what\u2019s wrong is the first step: if it\u2019s serious enough to need professional care, you may need to <\/span>find a medical provider during your trip<\/span><\/a>. For more minor medical concerns, you may be able to find a temporary solution until you\u2019re back home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Do I Find Dental Care While Traveling?<\/h3>\n

There are several ways to find dental care while you\u2019re away from home. Remember that for medical emergencies, like severe bleeding or mouth trauma, you may need to visit a local emergency room. But for less severe issues, the following tips can help you find a qualified dental provider whether you\u2019re at the beach, the slopes or just on a run-of-the-mill work trip.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Contact Your Dental Insurance Provider<\/h3>\n

If you have dental insurance, contact your provider: they\u2019ll let you know what\u2019s covered while you\u2019re out of network, and can help you find a qualified provider wherever you\u2019re located.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re traveling internationally and have travel insurance, your insurer may be a good resource for understanding dental care in another country and may even cover some of the costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ask Your Hotel Concierge<\/h3>\n

Concierges do much more than take room service orders. They serve as the expert resource for all hotel guests and are usually very knowledgeable about nearby professional services, including dental care.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a hotel guest and dealing with an inconvenient toothache or other issues, your hotel\u2019s concierge can point you in the direction of emergency services or a general dentist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Search for Dental Care Online<\/h3>\n

While an online search may give you more information than you need, it\u2019s a great way to understand what\u2019s nearby, compare reviews and see which dental insurance plans are accepted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To help refine your search, try using specific terms for the issue you\u2019re experiencing. For instance, searching \u201chelp for gum inflammation\u201d may provide a more detailed list of providers in your area who can provide treatment. Search engines are usually geo-targeted to your location already, but you can add the town or city to your search terms to find hyper-local results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ll be away from home for a few weeks or more, it might be a good idea to research medical and dental offices near your new location before you leave. <\/span>Finding a dentist you trust<\/span><\/a> ahead of time can alleviate any anxiety when an issue arises.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is Considered a Dental Emergency?<\/h2>\n

One issue you may face while handling dental pain or discomfort on the road is asking yourself, \u201cIs this an emergency?\u201d Figuring out the severity of a dental issue is an important step to determining what to do next.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some handy tips for identifying some common dental emergencies, how to handle them and <\/span>when it\u2019s time to see a general dentist or an emergency provider<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lost or Loose Tooth\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Losing a tooth spontaneously as an adult is a dental emergency. If treated quickly enough, it\u2019s possible for the dentist to save a lost tooth, but the window is short, <\/span>generally within two hours<\/span><\/a> after the tooth falls out. Here\u2019s what to do if you lose a tooth while traveling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n