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A Wisdom Tooth Emergency In Kuala Lumpur
Facing a medical emergency while travelling can be overwhelming. Here’s how I handled a painful, infected wisdom tooth in Kuala Lumpur — from finding the right dental clinic to a successful extraction at Teethos Dental Clinic in Chinatown.
Travelling full-time is all fun and adventure until life throws you a curveball. For us, that moment came during our time in Kuala Lumpur when I (Carol) started experiencing sharp pain on the right side of my face. Eating became a challenge, and after a few days of discomfort, it became clear: my wisdom tooth was getting infected.
Finding a Dentist as a Tourist
Being thousands of miles from home, I felt completely out of my depth. How do you find a trustworthy dentist in a foreign country? After hours of scrolling and sending countless WhatsApp messages, I finally landed on Teethos Dental Clinic in Chinatown. Their quick responses, detailed answers to all my questions, and fair pricing stood out. They even managed to fit me in for an appointment the very next day, a small win during an otherwise stressful time!
An Eventful Day
The day of the appointment was hectic. We had to check out of our apartment and move to a new one while trying to stay on top of things. My anxiety was through the roof, not just because of the procedure but also the rushed schedule. Still, I tried to keep smiling — it’s all part of the adventure, right?
To be honest, I was secretly hoping I wouldn’t need to go through with the extraction. Dental surgery wasn’t exactly in our travel budget, but since the pain wasn’t going away, I decided it was better to deal with it and move on.
The Experience at Teethos Dental Clinic
Walking into Teethos Dental, the first thing we noticed was the cleanliness, we even had to take off our shoes at the door! In no time, I was taken away for an X-ray. The machine made funky noises that reminded me of something out of Star Wars, and with my eyes closed, I could only imagine what was happening.
Next, we met Dr. Khoo. From the start, he was incredibly kind and professional, explaining every step of the process and answering all our (sometimes silly) questions. After signing the consent form, it was time to begin.
The Importance of Staying Connected
This wisdom tooth emergency was a real wake-up call for me about how important it is to have reliable mobile data while travelling. From searching for nearby dental clinics to booking an appointment and navigating unfamiliar streets, having internet access made a stressful situation so much more manageable.
We’ve been using iRoamly for our data throughout our trip, and in Malaysia, it’s been a game-changer. With fast and reliable internet for as little as $1 per day, staying connected has been easy and affordable. It’s easy to take being online for granted when everything’s going smoothly, but in moments like these, it becomes absolutely essential. Let’s just say I’ll never travel without an eSIM again, it’s such a small thing that makes a huge difference.
The Procedure
The only painful moment was the anaesthesia injection, which felt like a sharp pinch deep in my jaw. But after that, I barely felt a thing. The actual extraction was over in just 20 minutes! I felt some pressure and heard the unsettling sound of the tooth loosening, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined.
When Dr. Khoo finally pulled the tooth out, I couldn’t believe the size, it looked like a shark tooth! They even cleaned it and gave it to me as a keepsake (yes, I kept it, it’s now a strange but special travel souvenir).
Post-Surgery Recovery
When we left the clinic, I felt relieved and surprisingly pain-free. Dr Khoo’s aftercare instructions were detailed and easy to follow, and a few days later, I was back to my normal self — no swelling, hardly any pain, just gratitude for such a positive experience.
A Huge Thank You
A big thank you to Teethos Dental Clinic, especially Dr. Khoo and the amazing staff, for their kindness and professionalism. If you’re ever in Kuala Lumpur and in need of dental care, I can’t recommend them enough!
Have you ever had a wisdom tooth removed in a foreign country? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear your story!
Stay healthy in your travels. ✈️🩵
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