Flights are scheduled, luggage half-packed and plans made. A dental check is unlikely to figure in your plans, but a toothache abroad may change an eagerly awaited vacation into an adventure in finding a dentist, a translator and means of payment.

Checking things out prior to departure is a good way of catching small issues while there is still time to solve them at home. The reasons for booking an appointment, the right moment, and what should be packed are outlined below.

Why a Pre-Travel Dental Check-Up Is Worthwhile

Traveling dental problems are usually not the result of emergencies. Rather, there was already some kind of problem, which got worse due to the peculiarities of traveling, such as air travel, changes in regimen, drinking too much soda, dietary changes, late nights, etc.

There are also difficulties in receiving dental care abroad:

Choosing a reliable dentist in a foreign place is not always easy

There can be language obstacles to understanding your situation

The standards of treatment differ from country to country

The expenses for treatment abroad can be high

The treatment abroad may require further treatment at home

How Flying Can Affect Your Teeth

As a plane climbs and descends, air pressure in the cabin changes. Healthy teeth aren't usually affected, but if there's a small pocket of air or infection inside a tooth, such as under a leaking filling or in a decayed or recently treated tooth, the pressure change can cause sudden pain.

A dental check before you fly gives your dentist a chance to spot and treat these problems before you're 10,000 metres up.

When to Book Your Appointment

Aim to see your dentist four to six weeks before you leave. This timing allows for:

• A full examination and X-rays if needed

• Time to complete fillings or other treatment

• Healing time after any extraction or surgery

If you've recently had a tooth removed, dental implant surgery or other oral surgery, ask your dentist when it's safe to fly. Flying soon after an extraction may increase discomfort, and complications such as dry socket are harder to manage overseas.

What Your Dentist Will Check

A pre-travel visit usually looks at:

• Signs of decay or cracks, especially in teeth with large fillings

• The condition of existing fillings and crowns

• Wisdom teeth that have caused trouble before

• Gum health and any areas of swelling or tenderness

• The fit of dentures, and the state of any orthodontic appliances

It's also a good time for a professional clean, so you start your trip feeling fresh.

Packing a Travel Dental Kit

A small kit in your carry-on can save you a lot of trouble:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss or interdental brushes

• Over-the-counter pain relief you know you can take

• Dental wax to cover a sharp edge or loose wire

• A temporary filling kit from the pharmacy

• Your aligners plus your previous set and case, if you wear Invisalign

• Denture adhesive, a denture case and a spare denture if you have one

• Your dentist's phone number and a copy of your travel insurance details

In countries where tap water isn't safe to drink, use bottled water for brushing too. Smartraveller has destination-specific health advice worth checking before you go.

If You Have a Dental Problem Overseas

If something goes wrong while you're away:

• Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line, which may be able to recommend a clinic

• Ask your hotel or the local Australian embassy or consulate for recommended dental providers

• Ask for temporary treatment to manage pain and infection where possible, rather than major work

• Keep receipts, X-rays and treatment notes for your insurer and your dentist at home

When you get back, book a check so your dentist in New Gisborne can review any treatment done overseas. If you're considering planned treatment abroad, our post on dental work done overseas covers what to think about first.

Pre-Travel Dental Checks at New Gisborne Dental House

Whether you're heading off for a summer holiday, visiting family overseas or travelling for work, our team can check your teeth before you go. We'll look for anything likely to cause trouble, explain your options in plain language and fit any treatment around your departure date where possible. Outcomes vary from person to person.