Stuck Abroad With A Dental Problem?

Sometimes toothache and other problems strike at inconvenient times.

We have covered, in other blogs, why we don’t advise our patients to travel abroad for procedures such as implants. Even if this advice is followed though, dental problems can still occur when we are abroad, even if we have taken good care of our teeth and kept regular appointments at Alexandra Dental Care before we went.

Depending on the type of problem, and when it occurs, there are a number of steps that you can take. Your decision to seek professional dental care may also depend on where you are and how soon it is before you return home.

Europe

If you are in Europe or another developed part of the world, there is every likelihood that there will be an experienced dentist in the vicinity. If you have travelled with an organised group, your reps should be able to advise you. If not, the hotel or other accommodation reception team will often have a list of reputable local dentists.

Less developed countries

Whilst you may feel relatively comfortable about seeing a dentist in Europe or the US; if you have travelled to a less developed country, you may be less comfortable about doing so. This may be a case where you try to mask the problem with painkillers until your return to the UK or potentially be prepared to travel a little way to see a dentist that reaches somewhere near the standards that we expect from a dentist in the UK. Try to do some research before you go, just in case.

Tooth repair kits

Especially if you are going somewhere remote, it is probably worth making sure that you have some painkillers with you and you may also wish to take a DIY tooth repair kit. These contain a small amount of pre-prepared amalgam substitute which you can use to fill a tooth if your filling falls out, for example. However, we stress that these are temporary and only to be used as a last resort.

Your return home

If you have had any type of dental problem that has been untreated, or if you have used a self repair kit, you should always make an appointment to have your teeth checked by one of our Burton and Ashby dentists upon your return. If you have tried to use a repair kit to replace a lost filling, we will still need to replace it. If there is even the smallest gap between the amalgam and the tooth, bacteria will collect and more decay is likely to follow. If you have received treatment abroad and would like us to double check that it has been done satisfactorily we are also be pleased to do this for you.

By ensuring that you see one of our dentists regularly, as well as having your teeth thoroughly cleaned by our dental hygienist, you greatly minimise any risk of problems in between visits. If you do have any problems though, the advice above will hopefully prove to be useful.

Book your pre-holiday dental appointment with one of our dentists by calling Alexandra Dental Care on 01283 216347. We’ll help to minimise the risk of problems whilst you are away.

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