An emergency dentist is a specialist who can provide immediate care to patients who experience acute pain or have an oral injury. If you have any signs of a dental emergency, the first step is to call a dental office with 24-hour services. However, having a dental emergency kit at hand can be helpful while you wait for an appointment. Please read our article to learn about building a dental emergency kit for home.
Building a Dental Emergency Kit for Home
When building a dental emergency kit, make sure that you use a clean container to store the products and include instructions for each product. Also, regularly check the expiration dates of the medications and restock as necessary. Below, we list the essential supplies for an effective dental emergency kit to have at home.
Painkillers
Having over-the-counter painkillers, such as Ibuprofen, can be helpful when you need temporary pain relief while you are waiting for your dental appointment. However, take care to always stay within the recommended dosage and follow the instructions closely. Do not apply any pain medication to the tooth or gums directly.
Oral Analgesic Gel
Oral analgesic gel can be helpful when you have a toothache, irritated gums, or mouth sores. It can help relieve the discomfort fast. However, it is a temporary measure that usually does not have healing properties.
Mouth Sore Gel
Products that cover canker sores in the mouth protect them from rubbing against the teeth. They also have antibacterial and pain-relieving properties and help the sores heal faster.
Dental Wax
If your tooth or a dental restoration got chipped or broken, you can cover the sharp edges with dental wax to prevent lacerations and irritation in the mouth. However, remember that it is only a temporary solution, and broken teeth and dental restoration require immediate medical attention.
Temporary Dental Filling Material
Temporary dental filling material is used to cover cavities or gaps left if an existing filling falls out. However, such filling materials should not be kept on teeth for a long time. Ensure that you make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice a cavity or your filling falls out.
Tooth Preservation Kit
A tooth preservation kit is designed to help you preserve a knocked-out tooth on your way to the dental office. In many cases, if a knocked-out tooth is appropriately stored and you see a dentist within an hour after the accident, the tooth can be put back in its socket and reattached to the gum. The tooth preservation kit is especially useful to people who play contact sports or have active children.
Dental Floss and Interdental Brushes
Both dental floss and interdental brushes remove food debris and bacteria from and between the teeth. Dental floss should be used daily to maintain good oral hygiene, while interdental brushes might be used as needed.
Cotton Balls and Cotton Swabs
Cotton balls are helpful for stopping bleeding or protecting wounds, while cotton swabs help apply medication to teeth and soft tissue in the mouth.
Sterile Gauze
Sterile gauze, which can be in the form of a roll or pads, can be used to stop bleeding in cases of oral injuries and prevent bacteria from penetrating the wound.
Dental Mirror
A dental mirror is handy when you need to inspect wounds or cavities in areas that are hard to see in an ordinary mirror. It can also help you apply medication more accurately.
Types of Dental Emergencies
The most common issues that are considered dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothache that lasts for more than 12 hours or is becoming more intense
- A dislodged tooth that is unstable in its socket due to a physical impact
- A knocked-out tooth that has completely fallen out from its socket
- Dental abscess, typically accompanied by swelling in the face
- A broken (cracked, chipped, etc.) or lost dental restoration
- Pus or blood oozing from the gums
- Shaky teeth
- Severe injury of the tissue in the mouth or lips
- Dislodged or broken jaw
- Strong physical impact to the face or jaw that does not result in visible injuries (in these cases, the injuries might be internal and affect blood vessels in the gums of roots of the teeth)
Make an Appointment Today
If you experience severe toothache or have a dental injury, do not hesitate to make an emergency appointment with a dentist in San Bernardino. Our specialists are looking forward to welcoming you and your family to our office and helping you restore your oral health.