Schedule a Pre-Travel Dental Check-Up

One of the most effective preventive strategies is to visit St. Lucie Center of Cosmetic Dentistry for a comprehensive check-up 2-4 weeks before your trip. This timing allows sufficient opportunity to address any potential issues before you leave.

What to Request During Your Pre-Travel Dental Visit:

• Comprehensive examination to identify any potential problems that could flare up during your trip
• Digital X-rays to detect hidden issues that aren’t visible during a visual examination
• Professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar that could lead to infections or sensitivity
• Assessment of existing dental work (fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures) to ensure everything is secure and in good condition
• Evaluation of wisdom teeth if applicable, especially for younger travelers or those with partially erupted wisdom teeth

Address Pending Dental Work Before Departure

For Jensen Beach and Palm City residents planning to travel, completing necessary dental treatment before your trip is essential for preventing emergencies.

Priority Treatments to Complete Before Travel:

• Treat active decay to prevent it from progressing to an infection or abscess during your trip
• Complete root canal therapy if you’ve started the process, rather than leaving it partially treated
• Repair or replace loose fillings or crowns that could fall out while you’re away
• Address any teeth that have been causing intermittent pain, as changes in air pressure during flights can exacerbate existing issues
• Consider extracting problematic teeth that are likely to cause trouble, especially if traveling to remote areas with limited dental care

Medication and Documentation Preparation

Proper preparation with medications and documentation can make a significant difference if a dental emergency occurs while traveling.

Essential Preparations:

• Obtain necessary prescriptions for antibiotics or pain medication if you have a history of dental infections or are traveling to remote areas
• Request a copy of your recent dental X-rays (digital copies on your phone or printed) to share with an emergency dentist if needed
• Carry a brief dental history summary including allergies, medications, and any complex dental work or conditions
• Have your dental insurance information readily accessible, including international coverage details if applicable
• Save our Port St. Lucie office contact information: (772) 242-4124

Essential Components of a Dental Travel Kit

Pack these items in a small, waterproof container as part of your travel essentials:

Additional Items for Special Situations:

• For denture wearers: Denture adhesive, cleaning tablets, and repair kit
• For those with braces: Extra orthodontic wax and orthodontic elastics
• For sensitive teeth: Toothpaste formulated for sensitivity

Toothache or Dental Pain

Tooth pain is one of the most common dental emergencies experienced by travelers from St. Lucie County.

Temporary Management:

1. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz water)
2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers according to package directions (ibuprofen is often effective for dental pain)
3. Apply a cold compress to your cheek for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off
4. Use clove oil on a cotton ball applied directly to the painful area
5. Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages
6. If the pain is from a cavity, a temporary filling material can provide relief

When to Seek Emergency Care:

• Pain is severe or throbbing and doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
• Pain is accompanied by swelling of the face, gums, or lymph nodes
• You have fever along with tooth pain (possible sign of infection)
• Pain has lasted more than 1-2 days and is getting worse

Lost Filling or Crown

Lost fillings or crowns are common dental emergencies that Palm City and Jensen Beach residents might experience while traveling, often triggered by changes in air pressure during flights or eating sticky foods.

Temporary Management:

1. Save the crown or large pieces of filling if possible
2. Clean the crown or affected tooth gently with warm water
3. For a lost crown:
   • Apply a small amount of dental cement, denture adhesive, or even toothpaste to the inside of the crown
   • Reposition the crown over your tooth
   • Bite down gently to secure it
4. For a lost filling:
   • Use temporary filling material from your emergency kit to fill the cavity
   • Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth
5. Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed

When to Seek Emergency Care:

• You experience significant pain or sensitivity after losing the filling or crown
• You’re unable to reattach a crown properly
• The temporary solution fails during your trip
• There are sharp edges that are cutting your tongue or cheek

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth is one of the most serious dental emergencies and requires immediate action for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Immediate Steps:

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (white part), not the root
2. Gently rinse it with milk or saline solution if it’s dirty (do not use water, soap, or scrub it)
3. Try to reinsert the tooth into its socket, facing the correct way
4. If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in:
   • An emergency tooth preservation system (if you have one in your kit)
   • Cold milk
   • Saline solution
   • Between your cheek and gum (if you’re sure you won’t swallow it)
5. Apply gauze and pressure to control bleeding at the socket
6. Seek emergency dental care immediately – ideally within 30-60 minutes

For more detailed guidance on handling knocked-out teeth, read our article: I knocked my tooth out! What should I do?

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Teeth can break or crack during travel from falls, biting hard foods, or even changes in cabin pressure during flights that expand existing cracks.

Temporary Management:

1. Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water
2. If there’s bleeding, apply clean gauze with gentle pressure
3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed
4. Cover any sharp edges with dental wax to protect your tongue and cheeks
5. Avoid chewing on the affected side
6. If a large piece has broken off, save it and bring it to your dental appointment

When to Seek Emergency Care:

• The break is painful or has created very sharp edges
• A large portion of the tooth has broken off
• The break exposes the inner pulp of the tooth (often appearing as a pink or bloody spot)
• You experience severe sensitivity to hot, cold, or breathing in air

For more information about managing broken teeth, read our article: My Tooth Broke: What Should I Do Next?

Dental Abscess or Infection

A dental abscess is a serious infection that requires prompt attention, especially while traveling.

Temporary Management:

1. Rinse frequently with warm salt water
2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen often works best for infections)
3. Apply cold compresses to the outside of your face to reduce swelling
4. Avoid very hot or cold foods and beverages
5. If you have emergency antibiotics prescribed by your dentist before travel, take them as directed

To learn more about recognizing serious dental infections, read our article: Signs of a Serious Dental Infection

Resources for Finding Emergency Dental Care

Within the United States:

• Your dental insurance provider’s website or app – Many have provider search tools for in-network emergency dentists
• American Dental Association’s Find a Dentist tool (findadentist.ada.org) to locate ADA-member dentists by location
• Emergency dental clinics – Many cities have dedicated emergency dental practices with extended hours
• Hospital emergency departments – For severe infections or trauma, especially after hours
• Local dental schools – Many have clinics that provide emergency services at reduced fees
• Call us at (772) 242-4124 – We can often recommend colleagues in other cities

International Travel:

• Your hotel concierge – Often have relationships with reputable local dentists
• U.S. Embassy or Consulate – Can provide lists of English-speaking dentists
• International Association for Medical