Proper preventative care is essential to maintain a strong and healthy smile so your teeth can better resist decay, disease, or other injuries. However, even those who brush and floss twice daily can still have a dental emergency. Whether you’ve suddenly developed a toothache or lost a restoration, you never know when something unexpected might happen.
When you’re in the middle of an urgent scenario, having the right supplies nearby can potentially save your smile. With that in mind, keep reading to learn more about four things to keep in an easily accessible dental emergency kit so you’ll always be prepared if anything happens!
Emergency Item #1: Cotton Swabs or Balls
If you’ve just sustained a blow to the face or have bleeding teeth or gums, it’s important to slow the flow and keep the area clean to prevent an infection. Stowing cotton balls in a kit close by ensures you’ll have what you need when the time comes. You can bite down firmly on a swab to apply pressure to control bleeding or use one to wipe away excess dirt and debris.
Emergency Item #2: Floss
Most people have experienced the unpleasant sensation of having something stuck between their teeth at some point. If you try to remove it with forks, knives, or other household items, you might chip a tooth or lacerate your gums, landing you in the dentist’s chair. Instead, you can use floss from your kit to gently free any food or objects that have wedged themselves in your pearly whites.
Emergency Item #3: Gloves
Your mouth is already full of germs that can penetrate any areas of decay, contribute to gum disease, or infect wounds inside your mouth. You wouldn’t want to introduce additional bacteria by touching your teeth with uncovered fingers. Store latex gloves with your other emergency supplies to protect your hands and mouth and keep from introducing additional bacteria into the equation.
Emergency Item #4: Dental Wax
Dental or orthodontic wax can be used to smooth out the edges of sharp brackets and wires from braces that might otherwise rub raw spots in the tender tissue of your mouth. To avoid lacerations, you can also use this material to gently cover chipped, cracked, or broken teeth with jagged edges. In certain circumstances, it can even temporarily hold a dislodged restoration, like a dental crown, in place until you can reach your dentist’s office for a proper repair.
You can build one or several kits to keep at home, in the office, or in your vehicle to prepare for a dental emergency wherever you are!
About the Practice
At EMA Dental of Westfield, you benefit from a team of advanced care providers who offer a full array of services conveniently under one roof, including emergency dentistry. They take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals, then work together to create treatment plans tailored to meet them. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while providing accurate, long-lasting results. If something has happened and you need immediate attention, you can request a same-day appointment on the website or call (413) 568-1698.