Injuries and emergencies can happen in your mouth just like any other part of your body. At the same time, there are a few everyday oral healthcare related items you can keep in your first aid kit to help you manage oral emergencies quickly and easily.
Waxed dental floss is very helpful for getting stuck objects free from between teeth and the gum line. The waxy coating allows the floss to easily slide between teeth to work around foreign objects. You might want to also keep a floss threader handy for working around a foreign object from a different angle.
There are new tooth preservation products available on the market to help keep a knocked out tooth alive. Most come in the form of a can containing a nourishing gel, you simply put the tooth in the can and seal it tight. With a little luck your dentist might be able to implant the tooth back into the socket.
With many oral injuries a lukewarm salt water rinse can be used to clear your mouth of blood and debris, while also soothing injured tissues. This can be as simple as keeping salt packets and a plastic cup in the kit to make a rinse, on the spot.
It’s not uncommon to experience some swelling if an injury was caused by a fall, bite or blow to the face. A few zip-top bags and a washcloth can be used to make a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. Topical oral analgesic can be rubbed onto your gums to partially numb the area for a short time.
If you have questions about what products you should consider for your oral emergency first aid kit, please call us at 541-754-4017 to schedule an appointment.