Whether you get hit in the face when playing sports or accidentally chip a tooth when eating something hard, even exceptional oral health isn’t always enough to keep dental emergencies at bay. Enjoying a fun day with loved ones can quickly turn into a scene of panic if a tooth breaks or you sustain an injury to the mouth. Fortunately, being prepared for the worst by having the right equipment on hand is a great way to lessen your worry if this ever happens to you. Read on to learn what items you should include in your dental emergency kit.
General Supplies
When it comes to dental injuries, they can range in severity. From a moderate toothache to a tooth that’s been completely knocked out, different situations will call for different materials. With this in mind, it’s wise to fill your dental emergency kit with first-aid essentials, including:
- An ice pack or cold compress
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Latex gloves
- Ibuprofen
- Gauze
- Salt
Dental-Injury Specific Must-Haves
In addition to the injury essentials listed above, you should pack things that will specifically help with tooth-related injuries in your dental emergency kit. A few items that you should make sure to include are:
- Temporary dental filling material
- Orajel (toothache medication)
- Orabase (a local anesthetic)
- A dental/mouth mirror
- Petroleum jelly
- Dental floss
- Dental wax
What to Do If a Dental Emergency Strikes
Since no one is expecting a dental emergency to arise, many patients neglect to prepare ahead of time. Preparing a dental emergency kit after the incident has occurred isn’t as helpful as doing it beforehand. Instead, you should call your dentist right away. They will be able to walk you through next steps, and you can ask them for information on dental emergency procedures. If they can’t fit you in right away or you are bleeding or uncomfortable, heaving a dental emergency kit ready to go will come in handy. This will help you keep the situation from escalating while you wait to receive treatment from your dentist. Additionally, if the incident occurs after or before their office hours, their voicemail may give you information on what to do in the meantime.
With this information on what to include in a dental emergency kit, you should be able to overcome the initial panic that many feel when a tooth-related injury occurs so you can get the situation under control. This may end up being the difference between an oral health catastrophe and a healthy, restored smile!
About the Practice
Running into a dental emergency is never a fun situation, but Dr. Joshua Thomas Pogue and his exceptional team of Bettendorf oral health professionals at Pleasant Valley Dentistry are here to help. Whether you damage a restoration, tooth, or another part of your mouth, they will do what they can to repair it and get your smile back on track. If you’re ready to set up an appointment with Pleasant Valley Dentistry or want more information on their services, visit their website or call their office at (563) 332-7734.