A dental emergency is not something you want to think about facing. However, it is important to be prepared for this. This can help you to maintain a clear thought process when you have a dental emergency and act quickly, which, as a result, will salvage your teeth. Read the following practical tips to learn about the right way to prepare for a dental emergency.
Prepare a dental emergency kit
The last thing that an individual wants to do during a dental emergency is to be looking for first aid supplies. It is a good idea to prepare a kit ahead of time because it will come in handy by having everything an individual needs. A travel kit is also a good idea to have. There are a few basic supplies that should be in every dental emergency kit. These include:
- A container with a lid to store a tooth that has been knocked out
- Liquid solution to store a tooth in
- Gauze to help stop any bleeding
- Contact information for an emergency dentist
- Acetaminophen, which does not thin the blood as aspirin does
Dealing with a dental emergency
Knowing the right steps to take in a dental emergency is another part of being prepared. If a tooth has been knocked out, then an individual can place the tooth in the container from the dental emergency kit. The tooth-saving solution can then be placed in this container. If no tooth-saving solution is available, milk or saliva can also be used. Keeping the tooth wet will prevent it from dying until patients can go to the dentist.
If a tooth is only cracked, then an individual can use warm salt water to gently swish around the area. Any fragments of the tooth should be placed in milk or saliva. Individuals can use acetaminophen from the emergency kit to relieve the pain. It is a good idea to avoid eating or drinking anything other than water.
If a tooth is loose, then an individual should try to gently hold the tooth in place. Moving the tooth can cause it to loosen even more. Gauze can be used to gently stop any bleeding. If the face is injured, a cold compress can help to reduce any swelling that the individual might have.
Patients should have an emergency dentist on speed dial. Seeing this dentist immediately is important during any dental emergency. Following these tips can help an individual stay calm and handle the emergency better.
Choose the right emergency dentist near you
Finding the right emergency dentist is one of the first steps when it comes to preparing for a dental emergency. It is good to know who you can turn to without much notice. This can be the difference between saving your tooth and losing it. It is important to have an emergency dentist near you because a general dentist may not be available when you need them.
Request an appointment here: https://www.kaysvillefamilydentistry.com or call Kaysville Family Dentistry at (801) 546-2439 for an appointment in our Kaysville office.
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