How to Prepare for Dental Emergencies: Create Your Own Dental First Aid Kit
It’s common for people to carry around a first aid kit that’s designed to help them in an emergency. It may include band-aids, gauze, a flashlight, and a host of other small items that can literally be lifesavers. One thing we’ve found at California Dental Group is that most people have never even considered carrying around a dental first aid kit. It can actually be hugely helpful. Read on to learn why, what to put it in it, and what to do if you have a dental emergency.
Why should you carry a dental first aid kit?
Many people don’t realize that the first hour or so after a tooth is lost or chipped is the critical time. If you have the right tools available, are able to secure the tooth, and you head straight to your California dentist, then there’s a good chance they’ll be able to save the tooth. However, if you simply take the tooth, wrap it in a tissue, and make an appointment to see the dentist in the morning, then you’re certainly not going to be getting that tooth back in your mouth.
What’s included in a dental emergency kit?
Now that you’ve considered that it may be helpful to have a dental emergency kit, let’s consider what should be in it. First, bring a handkerchief. We’re talking about a fabric handkerchief made from a material like cotton. If you can’t find a handkerchief, a bandana will do. You’ll also want to grab some gauze. This can be the same type of gauze you’d have in your general first aid kit.
Next, get a small container with a lid. This only needs to be big enough to carry one or two teeth in the event someone loses them. We suggest choosing a container as small as possible A) so that it takes up less room and B) because you’ll need to fill that container up with a saline solution and water. The bigger the container is, the more saline solution and water you’ll have to carry around.
Which brings us to our final tips for your emergency dental kit: Include a bottle of water and saline. Of course, we also recommend that you bring our phone number, California Dental Group, so you can call us in the event of an emergency.
Stay calm in a dental emergency
The hope is that you’d never need to use your dental emergency kit but it’s there if you need it. Should that situation arise, remember to stay calm. While you do want to ensure you don’t lose a natural tooth if you don’t have to, remember that there are dental implants and other options that can help restore your beautiful smile.
At California Dental Group, we are committed to the oral health of your entire family. Call us right away at (800) 407-0161 if you have an emergency, or call us today to set up your regular exam and cleaning. We are here to help our southern California clients keep their happy, healthy smiles.
