Dental emergencies can happen at any time, but unlike for other types of injuries, most people don’t have a dental first aid kit. Yes, urgent dental issues should be treated by your dentist, however the better prepared you are in the meantime, the better your odds are of a successful outcome. If you’d like to protect yourself and your family in an oral health crisis, here’s how to stock your very own dental emergency kit.
What to Include in Your Dental Emergency Kit
Your teeth are very different from the rest of your body, so stocking a dental emergency kit will require some items you may not have in your standard first aid kit. Consider adding the following items to yours:
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- A toothbrush
- Dental wax
- A small sealable container
- Gauze
- A tooth mirror
- Tea bags
- Tweezers
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swabs
- Alcohol wipes
- Petroleum jelly
- Temporary dental filling material
- A cold compress
- Lidocaine numbing ointment
- Rubber gloves
- Over the counter pain medication
- Contact information for your dentist
- Dental floss
- Saline solution
- A handkerchief
- Orabase paste for canker sores
If anyone in your home wears dentures or braces, you could also include:
- Chewies for adjusting aligners
- An aligner removal tool
- Floss threaders
- Small Brushes (braces brushes)
- Retainer cleanser or aligner crystals
- Denture soak
- Denture adhesive
How To Prevent a Dental Emergency
While it’s great to be prepared for a dental emergency, it’s also helpful to avoid preventable problems, too. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your teeth safe so you don’t end up in an urgent situation:
- Don’t skip your semi-annual dental exam and cleaning
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss daily
- Wear a bite guard if you grind your teeth
- Wear a sports mouthguard during athletic activities
- Don’t use your teeth to bite your nails, chew on pen caps, or to tear open packaging
- Schedule an urgent dental appointment if you have any tooth pain that lasts longer than 24 hours, or if you notice any changes to your teeth and gums.
Remember, while your dental emergency kit can’t prevent injuries, it can possibly help if an urgent situation arises. If you find yourself suffering from any type of accidental damage to your teeth or gums, contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible.
About Dr. Parét
Dr. Katherine Parét believes strongly in the connection between your oral health and your overall health, so if you’re suffering from a dental emergency, it can be hard to stay well elsewhere. That’s why she offers emergency dental services and strives to help patients keep their mouths healthy, so urgent issues don’t cause undue stress and illness.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please call Mind Your Mouth at 207-200-4106 or visit our website.