First-aid kits can help protect you and your family in the event of an accidental injury, but what happens when it’s a dental emergency? After all, most premade sets are designed for external wounds. Don’t leave your oral health vulnerable in a dangerous situation. Here’s the gear you need to assemble your very own custom dental emergency kit.
What to Include in a Dental Emergency Kit
Because products like bandages and antibiotic ointment can’t be used in your mouth, a regular first-aid kit is often inadequate in a dental emergency. To protect your smile, be sure to stock your oral health preparedness kit with materials that are mouth-safe, including:
- A small sealable container
- Gauze
- A small mirror
- Tea bags
- Tweezers
- Cotton balls
- Rubber gloves
- Cotton swabs
- Alcohol wipes
- Petroleum jelly
- Temporary dental filling material
- A cold compress
- Lidocaine numbing ointment
- Over the counter pain medication
- Contact information for your dentist
- Dental floss
- Saline solution
- A handkerchief
- Orabase paste for canker sores
- Tooth preservation kit
If anyone in your household wears braces or clear aligners, you should also include the following:
- Chewies for adjusting aligners
- Dental wax
- Aligner removal tool
- Floss threaders
- Interdental brushes (braces brushes)
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Now that you’re prepared to protect your smile in a dental emergency, it’s important to know how to minimize your risk of having one in the first place. Here are a few steps you can take to prevent urgent oral health problems from happening:
- Visit your dentist twice a year for your biannual dental exam and cleaning.
- Brush your teeth twice daily.
- Floss at least once daily.
- Wear a bite guard if you grind your teeth.
- Wear a sports mouthguard during athletics.
- Never use your teeth to bite anything but food; don’t bite your fingernails, chew on pen caps, or use them to tear packaging.
- Schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you have any dental pain that lasts longer than 24 hours or if you notice any concerning changes to your teeth and gums.
Remember, while it’s not always possible to prevent every accident, it helps to have a safety kit available when you can’t. Should you experience an urgent dental problem, remain calm and reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, keeping a variety of supplies on hand can help create peace of mind and protect your smile in the event of a dental emergency.
About Dr. Metzger
Dr. Leslie Metzger earned her dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, American Association of Cosmetic Dentists, American Dental Society, and the Michigan Dental Society. If you are experiencing an urgent dental emergency, please call Monet Aesthetic Dentistry for help as soon as possible at 248-476-3410.