Oral First Aid Right at Home
Are You Prepared for a Dental Emergency?
Almost all families have a first aid kit somewhere in their home to help handle small cuts, bruises, and even minor medical problems, but these kits are often not equipped to handle a dental emergency. Injuries that are oral in nature are common for children and adults alike, which is why many professionals suggest that families have an Oral First Aid Kit in their home. A few simple items that can be found at the local drug store is all it takes to make an effective dental emergency kit for oral issues.
What to Include in an Oral First Aid Kit
While an Oral First Aid Kit does not replace treatment from a dental professional, it can be very useful for treating minor injuries and mouth irritations while also being helpful in alleviating pain and controlling minor issues until individuals can get to the dentist. The following items should be included in a home Oral First Aid Kit:
- Dental Floss
- Dental Mirror
- Sterile Gauze
- Cotton Swabs
- Cotton Balls
- Tweezers
- Toothbrush
- Sealable Plastic Bag (to dispose of bloody gauze or swabs)
- Wash Cloth
- Instant Ice Pack
- Salt
- Dental Wax
- Oxygenating Oral Cleanser
- Aspirin or Aspirin Substitute
- Medical Exam Gloves
- Paraffin
- Bottled Water
How to Handle Common Oral Emergencies
Here are some tips for handling common oral emergencies:
Mouth or Canker Sore – For mouth or canker sores, which are small white wounds that form inside the mouth, an oxygenating oral cleanser can be used. The bubbling action of this cleanser helps to remove irritants and food debris from the surface of the sore, which reduces pain and helps healing.
Toothache – To help treat a toothache, begin by washing the mouth out with warm water and remove any debris trapped between teeth. If swelling is present, use an ice pack on the outside of the cheek, rotating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Additionally, aspirin or aspirin substitute can be used to control pain.
Broken Tooth – When a tooth is broken, begin by cleaning out any debris or dirt from the area using an antiseptic oral cleanser. Use an ice pack on the outside of the cheek over the injured area to help control swelling. Should the break in the tooth create a sharp edge, dental wax can be used to cover the tooth and prevent any cuts or lacerations from happening on the inside of the mouth.
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