What to Include in an Emergency Dental Kit

You may have a first aid kit sitting around your house just incase someone becomes injured, but do you have an emergency dental kit? Mouth injuries are very common, especially for younger kids, so it’s important that you are ready just in case disaster strikes. You probably already have all the essentials in your home, but it pays to keep them in the same place. An emergency dentist in Doylestown lists off some of the things that you should be keeping in your dental emergency kit should something go wrong.

Cotton Balls or Gauze

When there is bleeding in the mouth, the best way to stop it is by putting pressure on the area. It is easiest to do this with some clean cotton balls or gauze that you can bite down on. Be sure that they are stored in a way that they won’t become dirty.

Dental Wax

If someone in your family is going through orthodontic treatment, they probably already know that wires and brackets can cause irritation if they are too pointy. This is something that can be resolved by a dentist, but until then, orthodontic wax can be used to cover up the trouble spots. This is a great way to help a patient get by until an emergency appointment can be made.

Disposable Gloves

Having a pair of latex or vinal gloves is a good idea just in case you need to help someone else out with their teeth. Using gloves is important when you have your hands in someone else’s mouth so that you don’t spread any infections or germs from one person to another.

Pain Reliever

Dental emergencies can be quite painful. While pain will be delt with at the emergency dental office, it pays to have something to help until then. Keep some of your preferred over-the-counter pain relievers. However, you should not use aspirin because it is an anticoagulant. This makes it more difficult for blood to clot. Instead, choose something like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Dental Floss

Having food lodged between your teeth can cause some discomfort and pain. To get this out, keep some dental floss in your emergency kit. You can use this to help get it out so you can have some relief.

Cold Compress

Dental injuries often mean that there is pain and swelling in the mouth. One of the best ways to reduce this is by using a cold compress. The cold temperature helps to numb the area and reduce swelling.

Salt

An easy homemade mouth rinse consists of salt and warm water. This has many benefits including relieving pain due to an infection and helping to dislodge food that is trapped in the mouth. Salt is also a natural disinfectant so it can help to speed up the healing process.

Dental Mirror

Many areas in the mouth cannot be seen easily. This is why a dental mirror would be beneficial to have in your kit. This way, you will be able to get a better look at what exactly is going on. You can find ones that have lights attached as well so you won’t need to get an extra flashlight.

You should always be prepared in case something goes wrong. One of the ways you can do this is by investing in a dental emergency kit. This way, you can be ready for anything that may come your way.

About the Author

Dr. Terry F. Rakowsky is an experienced dentist who has spent nearly 35 years working in the industry. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and has completed continuing education at both the Dawson Academy and Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Rakowsky is a member of both the American Dental Association and Pennsylvania Dental Association. If you find yourself in the midst of a dental emergency, his team would be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (215) 348-2224.