No emergency dental patient ever woke up thinking they were going to experience a tooth-related crisis during the day, but dental disaster can strike at any time. Luckily, you can easily assemble a dental emergency kit that has everything you need to treat your teeth and keep yourself comfortable until you can get to your dentist’s office. Here’s a brief guide to preparing for dental emergencies, including what supplies to assemble and how to get the care you need.
Building Your Dental Emergency Kit
There are many advantages to keeping all your dental emergency supplies in one easily accessible place. To assemble your emergency kit, start with a bag or box of suitable size and fill it with:
- Cotton swabs for cleaning injured areas or applying medicines
- Cotton balls to control bleeding
- Alcohol wipes to disinfect injuries
- Dental floss so you can clear debris from between the teeth
- A dental mirror to help you look inside the mouth
- Latex or vinyl gloves in case you need to assist someone else
- Dental wax to cover the sharp edges of orthodontic appliances like braces
- Temporary dental filling material in case a filling is lost
- Petroleum jelly to help you temporarily reseat a dislodged crown
- Salt to combine with water before swishing about your mouth to clean injuries to the cheeks, gums, or tongue.
- A cold compress to treat discomfort and swelling
- An American Dental Association-approved tooth preservation kit that can keep a dislodged tooth in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours
- Your emergency dentist’s phone number
Getting to Your Emergency Dentist’s Office
It’s a great idea to have your emergency dentist’s phone number in your contacts list. This way, you’ll be able to contact them to schedule a same-day or after-hours emergency dental appointment as soon as possible when you experience a dental crisis. While some issues such as dental sensitivity or a chipped tooth can afford to wait for a few days, urgent problems such as severe toothaches or dislodged teeth require immediate attention.
In the event that no emergency dentist’s office is open in your area when you have an oral health crisis, head to the emergency room. While unable to provide dental care, the staff there will be able to set you up with pain relievers and antibiotics to tide you over until your dentist opens the next morning. If you have dislodged a tooth, they may be able to treat it so it remains viable for up to twenty-four hours.
Having the supplies you need and knowing where to get help can make a massive difference in the outcome of a dental emergency. Assembling an oral health emergency kit can be a great way to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
About the Practice
Woodshore Family Dental offers the finest oral health care to patients of all ages in Clute. Led by Drs. S. Desai, Vishal Pattni, and Peter Pham, the staff maintains a pleasant and comfortable office environment while treating patients with utmost courtesy. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on preparing for a dental emergency, contact the practice online or dial (979) 341-9890.