When you have a tooth that has been injured or is in great pain, you need to make an appointment with your emergency dentist immediately. But how can you take care of your mouth before you get to the dentist’s office? The best thing you can do is make sure you’re well-prepared ahead of time with a dental emergency kit that has the basic essentials that you’ll need to deal with a wide variety of oral health issues. Below are 7 items that should definitely be part of every emergency kit.

1. Dental Mirror

You need to be able to get a good look at the injured area to perform any necessary first aid, but of course it’s hard to see the dark corners of your own mouth without help. A dental mirror can make it much easier to check on the teeth near the back of your mouth, especially if it has a light attached to it.

2. Cotton Balls and Gauze Pads

If you start bleeding from your mouth, you can apply pressure to the area with a cotton ball or a gauze pad. This should stop the bleeding after a few minutes. Make sure that the cotton balls and gauze are packed properly so that they’re perfectly clean when you need to use them.

3. Medical-Grade Gloves

When reaching inside your mouth (or someone else’s mouth), you should always be wearing gloves to prevent the spread of germs. Medical-grade gloves are usually made of latex, but vinyl gloves are a good alternative if you have a latex allergy.

4. Dental Wax

Dental wax is often used to cover damaged orthodontic wires and brackets so that they don’t irritate the inside of your mouth. But even if you don’t wear braces, dental wax can still be useful to keep around in case you break a tooth.

5. Dental Floss

When there’s something caught between your teeth, you should never try to force it out with a toothpick or another sharp object. Instead, keep some dental floss handy so that you can gently remove the object in question.

6. Ice Pack

Ice packs can be used to numb your mouth so that you can temporarily relieve your pain. Make sure that you only use the ice pack for about 10 minutes at a time, and wrap it in a towel or another barrier before applying it to your skin.

7. Pain Medication

No emergency kit is complete without over-the-counter painkillers to help you manage your discomfort. Ibuprofen is usually a good option, but stay away from aspirin; if there’s an injury that involves bleeding, aspirin could make it worse because it interferes with the body’s natural ability to form blood clots.

Are you not sure how to use the items listed above? Or are you wondering if there’s anything else that could go into your emergency kit? Talk to your dentist to see what advice they have for you. Being fully prepared for a dental emergency will help you keep your smile safe until you can get an appointment.

About the Team

At Kraft & Schrott Dental Associates, we have an entire team of specialists putting their decades of collective experience to good use protecting and caring for Boston Smiles. We offer same day emergency appointments whenever possible so that you don’t have to delay getting the treatment you need to stop your dental pain. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (617) 227-4924.