The OPTISMILE Podcast 46 – Dealing with and Preventing Dental Emergencies for Yachties
An OptiSmile Podcast Summary
Introduction (0:00 – 1:01) – Why Yachties Need Special Dental Care
Dr Clifford Yudelman from OptiSmile in Cape Town joins Eon Engelbrecht to discuss how yacht crew can prevent and manage dental emergencies at sea.
1. What Are the Most Common Dental Emergencies for Yachties? (2:07 – 5:44)
Key issues yacht crew face:
- Slipping on wet decks – Can lead to chipped or lost teeth.
- Biting accidents in rough seas – Sudden movement can cause tooth fractures.
- Alcohol-related mishaps (‘Gincidents’) – Champagne bottles and party accidents.
- Jaw clenching from stress – Leads to TMJ pain and grinding issues.
Tip: Regular check-ups at OptiSmile Cape Town can prevent many of these problems.
2. What First Aid Should Yacht Crew Know for Dental Emergencies? (5:50 – 8:18)
- For chipped teeth: Avoid DIY fixes unless necessary.
- For lost fillings: Rinse with salt water and use temporary filling kits.
- For pain relief: Use Panado and Nurofen, but avoid strong sedatives while on duty.
- For loose teeth: Avoid biting; some may stabilise naturally.
Pro tip: Captains should keep a dental emergency kit on board—OptiSmile can help assemble one!
3. Why Is a Pre-Season Dental Check-Up Important for Yacht Crew? (11:42 – 12:57)
A full dental check-up before charter season can:
✔ Detect small cavities before they require root canals.
✔ Prevent expensive emergency treatments abroad.
✔ Save time by addressing issues during off-season visits to Cape Town.
4. What Insurance Options Should Yacht Crew Consider for Dental Care? (13:15 – 15:02)
- Many luxury yachts cover emergency dental care—check your contract!
- Some crew members have comprehensive dental insurance (better than local medical aid).
- If paying out-of-pocket, preventative care is cheaper than emergency treatments.
5. How Can Yacht Crew Find a Trusted Dentist in a Foreign Port? (15:19 – 18:43)
- Check marina offices, but be cautious—some referrals may be based on kickbacks.
- Use crew forums and social media to find recommendations.
- Contact your home dentist (OptiSmile) for guidance.
- Keep digital dental records and x-rays on your phone for quick diagnosis.
🔹 OptiSmile offers remote video consultations for travelling patients!
6. What Should Yachties Do If They Need a Root Canal or Extraction While Travelling? (19:08 – 21:57)
- If a tooth is sensitive but not painful, you may still save it with a filling.
- If pain is severe, a root canal may be necessary—get stage one done abroad but complete it at a trusted Cape Town dentist.
- Emergency planning: Book a remote consultation before arrival in Cape Town for priority scheduling.
7. How Does OptiSmile Adapt Invisalign & Cosmetic Treatments for Yachties? (22:12 – 23:36)
OptiSmile offers:
✔ Remote check-ins & virtual Invisalign care.
✔ Flexible treatment schedules for crew members moving between ports.
✔ Minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry like injection moulding instead of traditional veneers.
⛵ Book an Invisalign scan in Cape Town during your next stop!
8. What Are the Risks of Delaying Dental Treatment Until Off-Season? (23:53 – 26:13)
- Impacted wisdom teeth can become inflamed at the worst times.
- Small cavities grow into root canal cases if ignored.
- Untreated infections can lead to abscesses—potentially dangerous at sea.
Preventative care saves money and time—don’t wait until it’s too late!
9. How Can Yacht Crew Maintain Healthy Teeth On Board? (26:27 – 29:33)
- Brush and floss daily – even on long charters!
- Book check-ups during off-season—Cape Town is an ideal stop.
- Don’t ignore small problems—address minor issues early.
- Confidence matters – Even if your smile isn’t “perfect,” healthy teeth keep you pain-free and professional.
📅 OptiSmile offers short-notice appointments for returning Yachties!
10. Final Thoughts & How to Book a Consultation at OptiSmile (29:46 – 31:36)
Dr Yudelman encourages Yachties to prioritise preventative care and take advantage of OptiSmile’s expertise in Cape Town.
How to book your dental check-up at OptiSmile:
📞 Call or WhatsApp for a remote consultation.
📍 Visit OptiSmile in Sea Point, Cape Town.
💻 Book online at OptiSmile.co.za.
🎧 Listen to this and other episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and CastBox.
Why This Podcast Matters for Yacht Crew
- OptiSmile understands the unique challenges of yacht crew life.
- They offer tailored solutions for remote and short-stay patients.
- Yachties can avoid unnecessary pain, expensive foreign treatments, and lost work time by prioritising preventative dental care.
⛵ Heading to Cape Town soon? Book your check-up today at OptiSmile!
Transcript:
Eon Engelbrecht – eRadio (0:09 – 1:01)
Welcome again to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth, the go-to podcast where curiosity meets dentistry straight from the experts. I’m Eon Engelbrecht, and I’m joined by our expert, Dr Clifford Yudelman from OptiSmile. We’re once again ready to take a deep dive into the world of dental care from a consumer’s perspective.
If you’re looking to brighten your smile or just protect your wallet, we’ve got you covered with practical advice and the latest insights. So stick around as we uncover the secrets to maintaining both your dental health and your finances.
Dr Clifford Yudelman joins us again, and today, we’re continuing our Yachtie mini-series, focusing on dealing with and preventing dental emergencies for Yachties. Dr Yudelman, welcome back!
Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (1:02 – 2:06)
Thank you, Eon! It’s great to be back. Today, we’re wrapping up our Yachtie mini-series, and the response from the Yachtie community has been fantastic. People are reposting our Yachtie podcasts in Facebook groups, sharing them, and engaging with the content.
Just this past week, we’ve had four video consults with Yachties returning to Cape Town for a short period. Many of them are looking to start Invisalign treatment. One of them will only be back for a week, so we’ll get all the scans done before she returns in April for a few months to complete her treatment.
We love working with Yachties, and I hope today’s podcast will be helpful for both our existing and future Yachtie patients.
Common Dental Emergencies at Sea
Eon Engelbrecht (2:07 – 2:21)
Doctor, from your experience, what are the most common dental emergencies Yachties face at sea, and why do these issues arise so frequently?
Dr Clifford Yudelman (2:21 – 5:44)
Yachties face the same dental issues as everyone else, but their environment adds extra risks. Common emergencies include:
- Slipping on a wet deck – If you hit your teeth, you can chip or even knock one out.
- Rough seas – Sudden movements can cause accidental biting that chips a tooth.
- Partying mishaps – Alcohol is often involved. I had a patient with perfect teeth who was drinking champagne from a bottle at a party when someone bumped her, chipping all four of her front teeth! We call these gincidents—whether it’s gin, tequila, or champagne, accidents happen.
Other issues include:
- Jaw clenching and grinding due to stress, especially in high-pressure environments like luxury charters.
- Old fillings or crowns coming loose—regular check-ups are crucial to prevent this.
- Limited access to care at sea—small problems can become major emergencies by the time you reach shore.
Many high-end superyachts cover emergency dental care, so if you’re in trouble, let your captain know—they may arrange for you to see a dentist in the nearest port.
Emergency First Aid for Dental Issues on Board
Eon Engelbrecht (5:50 – 6:01)
If a filling comes loose or a tooth chips in the middle of a busy charter, what practical first aid steps can the yacht crew take?
Dr Clifford Yudelman (6:02 – 8:18)
- For a small chip: If it’s rough or sharp, try polishing it gently if necessary (only in an emergency). Otherwise, leave it alone until you can see a dentist.
- For a lost filling: Rinse your mouth with salt water or sea water to clean the area. If the yacht has a temporary filling kit, use that. If not, stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the affected tooth.
- For a loose tooth: Avoid biting on it—sometimes, a slightly loose tooth will stabilise over time.
- For pain relief: Use over-the-counter painkillers like Panado or Nurofen. Avoid strong painkillers that can impair judgment on board.
Captains should keep a dental emergency kit on board. If you need help assembling one, contact us at OptiSmile—we’ll guide you.
Why Pre-Season Check-Ups Are Essential
Eon Engelbrecht (11:42 – 11:56)
Why do you recommend a comprehensive dental check-up before crew members return for a hectic charter season?
Dr Clifford Yudelman (11:57 – 12:57)
A stitch in time saves nine! Early detection of small cavities or old fillings that need replacing saves time and money. Preventative care is cheaper and more convenient than emergency treatment abroad—especially in Euros!
Handling More Serious Dental Issues While on Contract
Eon Engelbrecht (19:08 – 21:57)
What advice do you have for crew members who need more extensive treatments like extractions or root canals but only have a short window off charter?
Dr Clifford Yudelman (19:08 – 21:57)
- If a tooth is just starting to act up, you may still have time to get a filling instead of a root canal.
- If you need a root canal, get the first stage done abroad to relieve pain, but complete it properly in Cape Town. Rushed treatments abroad can lead to complications.
- Book a video consultation with OptiSmile before you arrive so we can plan your treatment and ensure everything is done efficiently.
Long-Term Treatments for Yachties
Eon Engelbrecht (22:12 – 23:36)
For crew members undergoing longer-term treatments like Invisalign or veneers, how do you adapt their treatment plans?
Dr Clifford Yudelman (22:12 – 23:36)
We offer:
- Remote check-ins via video calls.
- Invisalign Virtual Care to track progress between ports.
- Flexible scheduling—we plan treatments around travel schedules, so patients only need to visit Cape Town for essential appointments.
Final Advice for Yachties
Eon Engelbrecht (26:14 – 26:27)
If you had to share one key strategy for staying dental emergency-free, what would it be?
Dr Clifford Yudelman (26:27 – 29:33)
- Prevention is everything—regular check-ups prevent bigger issues.
- Maintain good oral hygiene—brush and floss daily.
- Address small problems early—don’t wait for pain to start.
- Confidence matters—even if your teeth aren’t perfect, smile! It makes a huge difference.
Eon Engelbrecht (29:46 – 30:37)
Thank you, Dr Yudelman! Another insightful episode of Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth!
Contact the Best dentist in Cape Town
Book your next Dental Checkup with OptiSmile
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, “Save Your Money Save Your Teeth” on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.