Dental injuries and emergencies are very common in children and adults. Some oral injuries may require the immediate attention of a skilled dental professional, while others could wait until your Winnipeg dentist’s normal business hours.

At Dental Image Therapy Centres, we know being prepared at home with the proper oral first aid items can help you in a dental emergency. Treating mouth sores or a knocked-out tooth correctly can prevent them from developing into more serious issues.

What Do I Need In An Oral First Aid Kit?

While every kit should contain the general supplies necessary to tend to minor injuries, you can also include more common oral health supplies. For instance, if your child has braces, you may want to add dental wax.

Here are the basic medical items you can buy from your local pharmacy for your at-home dental first aid kit:

• Medical gloves - Wearing a pair of gloves is a good way to avoid transferring germs from the hands to the mouth while assessing or treating oral issues.
• Sugar-free gum - Chewing sugar-free gum helps promote saliva production and combats dry mouth.
• Sterile gauze pads - These can be used to clean a minor cut or wound in your mouth. You can place the gauze on the tooth socket to stop the bleeding that occurs after losing a tooth.
• Ice pack - Having a cold compress on hand can relieve pain and swelling caused by toothaches or an extraction.
• Dental mirror - A dental mirror allows you to examine and treat those hard-to-see areas in your mouth. Some dental mirrors even come with a built-in light to improve visibility.
• Dental wax - Braces can irritate the inner lips and cheeks, and sometimes the bracket or wire can come undone. You can use dental wax to cover the surface of the braces and ease discomfort.
• Oral cleanser - This product can cleanse and promote the healing of minor wounds such as oral sores, irritations and mouth burns.
• Floss - Floss is handy for when you have food stuck between your teeth or gums.
• Salt - A saltwater rinse can help soothe mouth sores and alleviate pain after tooth extraction. Find out how long it will take for your mouth to heal after getting a tooth pulled in this Ask A Dentist post.

What Are Some Common Dental Emergencies And How Should They Be Handled?

Accidents happen, so it’s important to know what to do during a dental emergency. A dental emergency usually requires immediate treatment to address any trauma in the mouth – that may include bleeding or lacerations to the gums and dislodged or fractured teeth.

An oral first aid kit does not substitute professional treatment, but it does help alleviate pain or control minor oral problems until you can get to the dentist.

These are some tips for handling common dental emergencies:

• Toothache - It is best to rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any food trapped between the teeth, then rinse. If there's swelling, place an ice pack on the outside of the cheek for 20 minutes. Make sure to see your dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause.
• Object wedged between teeth - Try to remove the object with dental floss, and then rinse vigorously with water to remove any remaining particles. Do not try to remove it with a sharp or pointed instrument, as it can damage your teeth and gums. Visit a dental office if you are unable to remove it.
• Knocked-out tooth - Retrieve the tooth, if possible. If it is a baby tooth, place it in a container of saltwater. If it is a permanent tooth, try not to touch the root and carefully insert the tooth back in place. Go to the dentist immediately for treatment.
• Broken tooth - Gently clean dirt or debris from the injured area with an antiseptic oral cleanser. Place an ice pack on the face in the area of the injured tooth to minimize swelling. Book a dentist appointment immediately to get your teeth treated.
• Bitten lip or tongue - Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area for approximately 20 minutes using a sterile gauze pad. Rinse with saltwater to alleviate bleeding and clean the wound. If swelling is present, apply an ice pack. If the bleeding persists, go to a hospital emergency room.

You can also learn more about dental emergencies in our Ask A Dentist blog.

When Should I Visit The Dentist?

If you have a dental emergency, you should visit your dentist immediately. The sooner you take action, the more likely the teeth can be saved. Seeing a dentist as soon as possible is the best way to maintain good oral health and prevent further damage to your teeth.

Book your appointment today with Dental Image Therapy Centres and learn more about how to care for your teeth at home. We are conveniently located at St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre.