Dental emergencies are more common than most parents realize.
In fact, one in four children will experience dental trauma, and it can happen at any time — when kids are eating, playing, exercising — usually when you least expect it.
This can be a scary time for children. Are you prepared?
Many parents keep first aid kits around the house and in the car, but most first aid kits do not include emergency dental supplies.
Therefore, it makes sense to keep a dental repair kit handy in case of emergencies.
What to Put in a Dental First Aid Kit
1. Examination Gloves
Before reaching into a child’s mouth, always wear medical grade protective gloves to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
2. Dental Mirror and Flashlight
The mouth is a dark place. A mirror and a flashlight will help you see what’s going on inside.
3. Save-a-Tooth® System
A tooth begins to die within 15 minutes of being knocked out of the mouth. The Save-A-Tooth system includes a solution that will keep the tooth alive for up to 24 hours until you can get to a dentist.
5. Dental Wax
Wax can be used to help reduce irritation caused by braces or a chipped tooth.
7. Sterile Gauze
You can use gauze to help stop bleeding and also to move the tongue, which is quite slippery when you have gloves on.
8. Tea Bags
Place a wet tea bag inside a piece of gauze and hold it over the wound to stop bleeding. Tea bags may also be soothing if your child bites her lip, cheek, or tongue.
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
As a disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide is a staple to have in your first aid kit.
10. Floss and Toothpicks
Sometimes tooth pain is caused by food that is stuck between teeth and can easily be removed with floss and/or toothpicks.
11. Clove Oil
Clove oil has a sedative effect and can be used to help relieve tooth pain. Apply gently to the affected area with a cotton swab or a piece of tissue.
12. Ice Pack
Ice packs can help reduce swelling when a tooth is lost.
13. Pain Medication
Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can also help relieve oral pain.
14. Toothache drops
Apply drops directly to the tooth for temporary relief from a toothache.
15. Table salt packets
Helpful for rinsing the child’s mouth, as salt water helps clean out wounds.
Other items to include:
Cotton balls, cotton swabs, zip lock plastic bags (to dispose of bloody gauze or swabs), antibacterial skin wipes, toothbrush, tweezers, and a red wash cloth (to disguise the blood so kids don’t freak out).
And finally, don’t forget to include your dentist’s phone number!
You can find these items in most drug stores, supermarkets and on Amazon.com.
Ready-made dental emergency kits are also available, but spending a little time putting together your own kit will mean you are much more likely to know what to reach for when the pressure is on!
You’ll gain peace of mind knowing you can help your kids when accidents occur and react quickly and calmly until you can get to a dentist.