Dental Considerations When Travelling Abroad

Oral care – planning ahead for a holiday overseas

Living in the UK, we know that if we suffer from a dental emergency, we can usually get an appointment to see a dentist within a reasonable space of time. Relatively minor issues can also usually be resolved fairly promptly too. It is always good to know that when things go wrong, help is not too far away.

For those of you travelling abroad for your holidays this year, or for work purposes, this may not always be the case and it pays to take a few things into consideration before you go, so that if anything should go wrong while you are away, you can resolve it without too much stress.

In today’s blog, our team of Canterbury dentists take a look at some of the things that you should consider when making your travelling plans.

Get a check up

Unless you have had a check up fairly recently, it is probably worth trying to bring your next one forward. If you do this in good time, any small issues that could become more problematic in time can be treated before you go. Not only can this save you the hassle of trying to find a dentist wherever you are but can also make your flight more comfortable. Air pressure in the cabin can cause uncomfortable expansion of any small air pockets in your teeth and can make even a relatively short flight seem to last a long time.

Plan your visit

Before you set off for your holiday, take a little time to research dentists your area , especially if it is relatively remote. Check local reviews and also whether English is spoken (unless you speak the local language of course). Being able to explain your predicament can make your dental visit much more pleasant.

Check you are insured

Remember that since Brexit, some things have changed and that may include some access to medical care, including dentistry. Make sure that you have an insurance policy that covers any medical treatment that you might require or you could be left with a very expensive bill.

Pack your toothbrush!

You would be surprised how many people forget to put their toothbrush in the suitcase when they are packing. Make sure to pack yours, along with your floss and toothpaste. Although you may well be able to buy these abroad if you do forget, it may be a day or two before you get around to doing so, and that definitely isn’t good for your teeth or gums.

Temporary filling material

If any patient of Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic is planning to travel to somewhere quite remote; in addition to recommending that they have a check up before they go, we also recommend that you pack an emergency dental kit. This should include a temporary filling kit. These are similar to the filling materials that dentists use and if a filling falls out, for example, you can use this pre-made mixture to replace it. Remember though, that when you get back to the UK, you should see your dentist to have this replaced properly. It is likely that there will be gaps in any self applied fillings and this is likely to lead to further tooth decay over time.

Maintain your oral health regime

It is all too easy to let things slip a little when you are on holiday; after all, it is a time to relax. Whatever you do though, make sure to brush and floss your teeth as you would at home. There is every likelihood that you will relax your diet when on holiday and the extra alcohol, fizzy drinks and sugary foods will take their toll on your teeth if you don’t look after them well while you are away.

Stay hydrated

Lying on the beach or next to the hotel pool is many people’s idea of a relaxing holiday. Given the hot weather though, there is every likelihood that you might become dehydrated. As we have mentioned in our previous blogs, this can lead to a dry mouth and the subsequent increase in gum disease causing bacteria. Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated and don’t use alcohol or fizzy and acidic drinks for this purpose.

On your return

Hopefully, you will have had a great holiday without any problems. If you do notice the start of a toothache or something that is causing a little discomfort towards the end of your holiday, it may be better to see your regular Canterburby dentist when you get back, rather than seek out an unfamiliar dentist there. You can always call us or contact us via the website to arrange an appointment before your return in order to cut down on any delays before you receive treatment.

We hope that you found this blog useful and, as always, our friendly local team will be happy to offer any advice if you have any questions. For more information or to make an appointment at Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic, please call us on 01227 463529.