Unfortunately, all it takes is one accidental elbow to your jaw during a pick-up game of frisbee, one wrong bite on your fork, or one bad fall on your evening walk to sustain a tooth-related injury. These situations can be both anxiety-inducing and painful, which is why being as prepared as possible is paramount. If you are interested in putting together a dental emergency kit but aren’t entirely sure what you’ll need, then keep reading!
#1. Pack General Supplies
Dental injuries can range from a moderate toothache to a completely knocked-out tooth. Therefore, it’s a good idea to pack some first-aid essentials, such as:
- Cotton swabs.
- Cotton balls.
- Latex gloves.
- A cold compress/ice pack.
- Salt.
- Ibuprofen.
- Gauze.
#2. Add Dental-Injury Specific Must-Haves
In addition to your general first-aid supplies, you’ll want to pack some essentials that will help with tooth-related injuries. A great place to start is with the below items:
- A dental mirror.
- Dental wax.
- Orabase.
- Dental floss.
- Orajel.
- Temporary dental filling material.
- Petroleum jelly.
#3. Be Prepared – Call Your Dentist Now
One of the biggest mistakes patients make is waiting until they are in the middle of a dental emergency to find out what to do. Instead, give your dentist a call while you’re putting together your kit. This is a great opportunity to ask them what their protocol is for dental emergencies. For example, what do they recommend if you sustain a tooth-related injury after hours? When should you head to the ER vs. their office? Next, make sure they have all of your information, like your dental insurance plan and emergency contact. Lastly, keep a copy of their phone number and address in your kit so that you can get in touch with them when you need it most.
Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience a dental injury at all. But, in case you do, you’ll be happy you took the time to prepare! So, use this post as a reminder to put together some of the above essentials today.
About the Practice
At Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, we are proud to have not one, not two, but three exceptional dentists: Dr. Glen, Dr. Benny, and Dr. Gala. As a team, they enjoy utilizing the latest in proven dental technology and their passion for dentistry to help patients of all ages restore, enhance, and maintain their smiles. If you would like to learn more about preparing for a dental emergency or are ready to schedule an appointment, then visit our website or give us a call at 516-517-0331.