Having a dental emergency kit packed and ready to go is one of the best ways to ensure greater peace of mind. Being prepared is an essential component of staying calm should a dental injury occur. But what kind of supplies should be included? Before you start buying up what you think might need, find out which items professionals recommend to reduce pain, prevent further harm, and safeguard your smile while waiting to see a dentist.
Dental Emergency Kit: What to Include
Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or watching your child play sports, a dental emergency can happen when you least expect it. There’s never a good time to experience one, so when a chipped or broken tooth occurs, it’s always best to be ready.
This means keeping a dental emergency kit on hand so that you can manage the situation while waiting to see a dentist.
Some of the most common supplies you should keep in your kit include:
- A dental mirror to see inside your mouth
- Alcohol wipes to disinfect the injured area
- Dental floss to remove any food or object that is stuck between teeth
- Cotton balls or gauze to minimize bleeding
- Dental wax if you wear braces and suffer a broken archwire or bracket
- Latex gloves to protect yourself if someone else experiences a dental emergency
- Temporary dental cement should a crown fall out
- Salt packets to combine with water to perform a rinse
- Ice pack to reduce swelling
- Phone number of your emergency dentist
- Small container to hold a knocked-out tooth or restoration that has fallen out
- OTC pain reliever like Tylenol or ibuprofen, not aspirin
What Are the Next Steps in a Dental Emergency?
After calling your emergency dentist to alert them of the situation and using your kit to take control of the situation while you wait, the next step is to see a professional for help.
Arriving at your dentist’s office at the designated time is important so that they can usher you to a treatment room and begin examining the injured area. This may include capturing images of your mouth as well as performing an evaluation to determine how best to address the issue.
Your dentist will craft a formal treatment plan and go over it with you. If services can be administered the same day, they will get to work; however, if it is necessary to wait, you can expect they will help eliminate your discomfort before providing instructions in preparation for your upcoming procedure.
It’s smart to be prepared when faced with a dental emergency. Keeping a helpful kit nearby gives you the best chance to avoid further harm while waiting for the professionals to repair your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Maria Maiorino has more than 30 years of proven experience in the field of dentistry, helping patients enjoy life with a healthier, happier smile. At Columbus Dental Arts, she and her colleagues provide emergency dentistry to those suffering from sudden dental injuries. Although prevention is best, she understands they are not always avoidable, which is why she and her team recommend dental emergency kits. If you want to know which supplies are most recommended, contact us at (609) 324-9500.