Does Your Family Have a Dental Emergency Kit Yet?

Dental emergencies in San Jose can happen at any time, whether you are traveling or engaging in a contact sport. However, you can control these emergencies with a dental emergency kit. By keeping a kit, you can address a knocked-out tooth or cut to the gums until you can visit your emergency dentist. Read on to learn more about dental emergency kits.

Why You Need One

Just as your household should have at least one first-aid kit, there should be a dental emergency kit available as well. It is smart to have a kit at home, while traveling, and during sports or exercise. By keeping a dental emergency kit always with you, you can address dental emergencies when they come up, whether they happen to you or a family member. With the capability to address a dental emergency as soon as it happens, you may be able to prevent bigger dental concerns, such as an emergency tooth extraction.

How to Make One

A good dental emergency kit will have several items in it, but it does not need to take up a lot of space. Your emergency kit should include alcohol wipes and latex gloves for sterilization purposes. Keep dental floss and a dental mirror in the event that there is an object lodged in or between your teeth. Cotton balls and swabs can control bleeding. Consider adding Vaseline, if you need to temporarily reattach a dislodged crown. You may also include packets of salt—which can create a soothing mouth rinse—and a cold compress to control swelling.

When to Use One

If you or your children engage in sports activities, then an emergency kit can address mouth injuries or knocked-out teeth. If you accidentally break or dislodge a dental crown or filling, then an emergency kit will be helpful. Though having a dental emergency kit is important, it will not replace a visit to your emergency dentist. Emergency kits should only be used to control the emergency until your dentist can inspect and treat the injury.