Picture this: you’re trying to launch yourself out of the side of the hotel pool on vacation because kids are playing on the steps, but you accidentally hit your mouth on the concrete border, chipping your tooth. You don’t notice the damage until you’re in your hotel room and you go to brush your teeth, realizing that a chunk of your tooth is completely gone! Who do you call for help? What do you do? Read on to learn four tips for how to handle a dental emergency while you’re on vacation or traveling.
Step 1: Find an Emergency Dentist Near You
Because you’re in an unfamiliar area, it’s likely the case that you don’t know of any emergency dentist’s around you, so you’ll need to take to a search engine to find one. By searching “emergency dentist near me” or “emergency dentist in Rockville” you should be able to find a practice nearby. To help you choose a reputable office, you can also quickly peruse their ratings and reviews. It’s also a good idea to see if they offer same-day emergency visits.
Step 2: Call to Schedule a Same-Day Appointment
After you find a dental office that takes same-day emergency appointments and you think is a good fit for you, give them a call. While on the phone, the front desk staff can provide you with first aid guidance to help you ease any dental sensitivity or pain, and they’ll schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible so you can get back to your vacation.
Step 3: Get Relief & Receive an Examination
When you arrive at the office, you’ll be greeted by a friendly dental team member who will collect your new patient information, including your dental insurance information. After bringing you back to your treatment chair, they may capture X-rays before the emergency dentist comes in to introduce themselves. Once the dentist arrives, you’ll receive a comprehensive, thorough examination of the tooth or teeth in questions, and if applicable, they’ll also review your diagnostic images.
Step 4: Receive Treatment
Based on the emergency dentist’s findings, they will diagnose the issue at-hand and develop a treatment plan. This can include a service as simple as a quick and easy cavity filling, or a little more intensive, like a dental crown. The dental team will schedule an appointment for you either in the very near future, or the same day, but don’t worry! You’ll leave with a temporary solution in place that will allow you to get back to your work conference or family vacation without having to worry about additional harm coming to your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Susan Partovi boasts over 30 years of experience and is an incredibly driven and compassionate dentist. Over the years, she has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education courses and has been chosen as one of the top dentists in the country by the Consumers’ Research Council of America! She also offers same-day emergency appointments, allowing her patients to find fast relief from toothaches and other issues that require urgent attention. To schedule an appointment, visit Signature Smiles of Rockville’s website or call 301-990-0020.