While you can’t prevent all oral emergencies from happening, there are a few things you can adopt to help prevent some common oral emergencies. By stocking your first aid kit with some common dental items, you will be better prepared for an oral emergency when and if it does happen.
Waxed dental floss is a good tool if a foreign object gets stuck between your teeth or in your gums. Its waxy coating makes it easier for the strand to slide between teeth to free the obstruction. You might also want to keep a floss threader in the kit, if you need to work around a foreign object from a different angle.
If you have a tooth knocked out by a blow to the face or a fall, your dentist might be able to implant it back into the socket. In order to have any chance of doing this, the tooth needs to be alive. You can preserve the tooth by keeping it between your cheek and gums. There are tooth preservation products that do an even better job of doing this. These are usually a can containing a nourishing gel; you simply put the tooth in the can and seal it tightly.
Keeping salt packets and a plastic cup in your first aid kit can help you quickly prepare a saltwater rinse. This can help clear blood and debris from your mouth and also help soothe injured tissues.
Falls and blows to the face often cause swelling. Keeping a few zip-top bags and a washcloth in your kit can help to improvise a cold compress. Topical oral analgesic can be rubbed onto your gums to partially numb the area for a short time.
If you have questions about what items to consider for your oral emergency first aid kit, please call New Image Dentistry at 619.470.2558 to schedule an appointment.