Keeping your smile

Dental problems can spoil even a dream escape, but with the right advice they needn’t be the end of your fun, writes head dentist Mihir Shah

Tooth pain can ruin just about anything. No matter how spectacular the setting or the experience, it’s always there – throbbing away in the background. But there are also ways to prepare for and deal with dental emergencies while on the move.

A common cause of toothache is flying. The roots of some upper jaw molars are intimately related to your sinuses, and the pressure changes during a flight can often manifest as toothache. Any measure to relieve sinus congestion can help, including overthe-counter medication. But this pain can also be a sign of a cavity or crack in a tooth (air enters the gap and expands due to pressure), so visit a dentist if the pain doesn’t disappear after landing.

The issue is which dentist. It pays to carry out some research of the area you’re visiting beforehand to identify medical clinics (not just for your teeth). But most people don’t have the time for this, so you can also contact your dentist back home for advice or try your health-insurance provider, who may refer you to a local centre.

If you’re far from medical help (or even if you’re not), be sure to carry a dental repair kit. These allow you to temporarily fix lost fillings, caps, crowns or broken teeth for up to 48 hours, and can be useful if you can’t get to a dentist immediately. they are not a solution but can buy you some relief and take up little space in bags.

If you lose a crown, keep the abutment (stump in your mouth that the crown covered) clean and avoid sugary, acidic foods and drinks. Reattach if you feel confident to do so, but it is vital that the area is cleaned first (follow your usual routine) and the crown is fitted the right way round and fully seated.

If your tooth is knocked out, be careful to pick it up by its crown and not the root, then store safe inside your cheek to keep the root moist. Next, seek immediate medical attention, as you only have a short time to be able to reattach it. Like all dental troubles, at some point you will need to see a dentist.

Teeth don’t lie (top) It pays to get a dental check-up before you travel; (below) if you need treatment while abroad, your health-insurance provider may be able to locate a reputable dentist – some policies also offer translation services