Tips For Dental Care When Planning To Travel Abroad

If you are planning to travel abroad, then you want to make sure your trip is enjoyable. One way to do this is to take steps to avoid any oral health mishaps on your journey. The following can help you plan for great dental health by providing you with tips on what you need to do before your trip, as well as a few precautions to take during your travels.

Tip #1: Schedule a Pre-trip Checkup

Schedule a checkup about six weeks before your trip. Six weeks gives you enough time to have any necessary work completed, such as filling, while being close enough to your departure that any brewing issues can be caught before you leave. The check should include x-rays and a full cleaning. If you have any special issues that require ongoing treatment, such as gum disease, make sure you work out a treatment plan with your dentist that will help you maintain your oral health while on the road. Further, if you wear any orthodontic devices, have them inspected and adjusted before you go. It's much easier to have your dentist fix a loose wire on your braces now, as opposed to having it come off while you are in a foreign country.

Tip #2: Bring Your Own Supplies

Try to bring your own dental supplies when possible, especially if you are traveling to a developing country. Even in modern countries, you may find that the oral hygiene products aren't up to your expectations. At a bare minimum, bring a toothbrush and a travel-sized tube of fluoride-containing toothpaste. If you use a medicated mouthwash, you can bring this with you as medication is exempt from air travel liquid limitations.  You may also want to bring a few dental first-aid items, such as dental wax. This wax can be used to temporarily cover a missing filling, to smooth over a broken brace wire, or to even hold a crown in place until you can get help.

Tip #3: Have an Emergency Plan

Even though you are leaving prepared, you still need to have a plan in case something goes wrong while you are traveling. The first step is to determine what dental care requirements are at your destination. In some countries, costs are low and waits are minimal, even for foreigners. In others, you need to make sure you have purchased an emergency dental plan before you leave home. Often, you can add on a dental rider to your traveler's medical plan for a low fee.

Your trip shouldn't be cut short because of dental woes. Work with a dentist at home and make plans for when you are traveling to help ensure your teeth are as healthy as they can be during your voyage. 

Check out the site of a local dentist if you need information on other options for dental care while traveling.

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