There is a wide array of oral emergencies such as biting your tongue or lip, getting something stuck in your teeth, or damaging your tooth enamel. Should any of these things befall you, it could lead to serious and costly complications and restoration services.
Even though you cannot always prevent an oral emergency from happening to your mouth, there are a few essential oral health care items that Dr. Hwang and Dr. Ham recommend you stock in your first aid kit. Having them quick at hand can help you better deal with an oral emergency should one befall you or a loved one.
Waxed dental floss is the first thing you will want to reach for to remove a stuck food particle or foreign object from between teeth or gums. The waxy coating allows the strand to slide between teeth easier than unwaxed floss. It could also be helpful to keep a floss threader in the kit. This will allow you to work around the foreign object from a different angle.
Should you have a knocked out tooth, there is a chance that our dentists can successfully implant it back into the socket. In order to do this, the knocked out tooth needs to be whole and alive. Fortunately, there are tooth preservation products that preserve the tooth. These are usually a can containing a nourishing gel; you simply put the tooth in the can and seal it tight.
Having salt packets and a plastic cup on hand will allow you quickly prepare a saltwater rinse. This can help clear blood and debris from your mouth and also help soothe injured tissues. Topical oral analgesic can be rubbed onto your gums to partially numb the area for a short time.
Many oral injuries have some swelling associated with them. Keeping a few zip-lock bags and a washcloth in your kit can help to improvise a cold compress.
If you have further questions about how to better prepare for oral emergencies in Columbus, Georgia, you can always call Ideal Smile Dentistry at 706.257.7374 to schedule a consultation.