At-Home First Aid for Common Tooth Injuries

Tooth injuries tend to be dramatic events.  One or several knocked-out teeth will compromise your oral health and the look of your smile.  What matters most is how you respond to this unfortunate incident. Some tooth injuries are fairly minor and do not require intensive treatments.

Other tooth injuries are more serious and require the attention of a skilled oral health professional. It is imperative you have the proper first aid materials available in your home to tend to these injuries in a timely manner.

Even if the injury is severe, treating it with an at-home first aid kit prior to visiting the dentist has the potential to save the tooth.

Here is a look at what your first aid kit should contain to mitigate oral pain and damage.

Oral First Aid Kit Contents

Every first aid kit should contain the supplies necessary to tend to minor mouth irritations and injuries. This means your first aid kit should contain a dental mirror, sterile gauze, cotton swabs, cotton balls, a sealable plastic bag for the disposal of bloody swabs/gauze, tweezers, a toothbrush, aspirin and a washcloth.

It also makes sense to add dental wax, paraffin, an instant ice pack, a washcloth, an oxygenating oral cleanser, medical exam gloves and dental floss to your kit. If you are wondering why dental floss is in the list above, you are not alone.  Most people question why floss is necessary for such a kit. Floss removes objects stuck between teeth and gums better than most other tools.

Once you remove the object in question, rinse with water so leftover particles are washed away. It is always better to use floss to remove wedged objects as opposed to attempting to use a pointed or sharp instrument. If floss does not remove the item in question, meet with your dentist as soon as possible for a safe and efficient removal.

Pain Medications

Aspirin should be in every at-home first aid kit. If you hold a bias against aspirin, put Tylenol in your kit. Even an oral anesthetic will help to minimize pain before you can visit the dentist.

The Importance of a Cold Compress

A cold compress will prove quite helpful for mouth injuries, toothaches and swelling. Apply a cold and wet washcloth to the side of the face where you feel pain. You can also apply an ice pack to alleviate pain and swelling. Apply the cold compress or ice for 20 minutes.

Let your mouth and cheek rest for another 20 minutes. If the pain or swelling is still present, reapply the cold compress or ice pack for another 20 minutes. Do not apply any form of heat. Choose something cold and you will find your mouth feels that much better.

Do not Forget to add Several Small Containers

Add a couple containers to your at-home first aid kit for tooth injuries so you can preserve knocked-out teeth until you can meet with the dentist.  These diminutive containers will protect your tooth from the elements, contact with potentially damaging substances and ensure you do not lose track of its location prior to your visit to the dentist.

That's not all…

Request a dental appointment here: https://kirklanddentalexcellence.com or call Kirkland Dental Excellence at (425) 827-2003 for an appointment in our Kirkland dental office.

Related Posts

Emergency Dentistry: Tooth Pain And Fever

A toothache occurs when one or more of your teeth have been damaged, and it might be a sign that emergency dentist is needed. Toothaches are sometimes accompanied by a fever, and that is often a sign of an infection in or around a tooth.A dental infection is a serious health issue because the infection…

When To Go To An Emergency Dentist For A Toothache

A toothache is often the first sign that you need to visit the emergency dentist. If the toothache persists for more than a few days, you could be dealing with an infected tooth or worse. Without treatment, the situation may worsen and cause eventual tooth loss. The dentist will examine the tooth to learn the…

4 Reasons To Visit An Emergency Dentist

Thinking you need to see an emergency dentist to address your current dental problem? You never know when a dental emergency is going to arise. Which makes it a good idea for you to find an emergency dentist, just in case.There are many different types of dental emergencies. Some emergencies are minor and can wait…

Why You Should Avoid The ER For Emergency Dental Care

Patients who are dealing with severe dental issues may think they should go to the ER for emergency dental care. This, however, is often ill-advised, as it may not be helpful in providing the proper treatments needed and can result in other problems arising.The following are a couple of reasons why patients should not go…