Table 3 Potential dental and oral health problems and suggestions
From: Putting the mouth back in the body – the neglected area of dental and oral travel health
Focus | Problem/Emergency | What to do |
|---|---|---|
Teeth | - Toothache - Chipped, cracked, fractured tooth - Knocked-out tooth - Sensitivity - Cavity - Abscess | - Rinse mouth with water and remove food with floss; cold compress - Keep broken or knocked out tooth in saliva or milk in plastic bag - Don’t touch root, clean with saliva or milk, try to re-insert; or keep in cheek - Visit dentist as soon as practicable |
Oral cavity | - Bitten lip, tongue, cheek - Bad breath | - Rinse mouth with warm salt water, then cold compress - Sugar-less mints |
Restorations | - Lost filling, lost crown - Broken bridge - Broken dentures | - Visit dentist - Visit dental technician |
Barodontalgia/ Barotrauma | - Altitude - Scuba diving - After restorations | - Follow instruction by team leader, scuba guide, post-dental intervention advice. - Medical attention if required |
Piercings, dental jewellery | - Pain, swelling - Bleeding - Infection - Tooth damage - Nerve damage - Aspiration | - Medical attention - Remove foreign body if possible |