Q: What sort of items should I have at home for dental first aid?
A: In any sort of dental emergency, you should try to see your dentist as soon as possible. But it's a good idea to have some materials at home that can help you deal with a dental emergency until you can get to the dentist's office. Here are some of them:
- Table salt or baking soda to dissolve in warm water to create a soothing mouthwash in the event of pain.
- A mild pain reliever like aspirin or acetaminophen.
- An over-the-counter topical anesthetic ointment or liquid, like Anbesol or Campho-Phenique, to apply to mouth sores.
- Sterile gauze pads to staunch bleeding.
- Dental wax, which you can get from your dentist. It is useful for covering a protruding or irritating wire from braces or to temporarily cover the sharp edge of a broken tooth.
Don't forget that household ice can be converted to a cold pack by putting some cubes in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a damp dishtowel. Also, display in a prominent place the address and phone number of your dentist's office. And as a general practice, keep the same handy for the nearest hospital emergency room. Talk with your dentist about other first aid materials you should keep on hand and procedures you should follow.
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