While it would be convenient to deal with dental concerns only at yearly appointments, it doesn’t always work that way. Dental emergencies can happen when you’re least expecting them. And you want to take the right steps so you can manage pain and get help.
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From creating a dental first-aid kit to finding care, you’ll have to stay calm but move quickly. Read on as we explain how to prepare for dental emergencies at home.
Put Together a Dental First-Aid Kit
Don’t be caught off guard when you’re facing a dental emergency. Build a small first-aid kit that’s geared toward dental needs.
Include common pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen, and a little container for doing saltwater rinses. Add some cotton balls, disposable gloves, and an instant ice pack. And toss in a soft toothbrush, dental wax, and short-term tooth filling material.
Place these items in an accessible bin or travel bag. Write down your dentist’s phone number on a card, as well, so you can reach out for after-hours help. And leave these items in a bathroom cabinet near common items, like sunscreen or bug spray, so you can always find them.
Assess the Pain
If you’re caught in a dental emergency, start by considering the level of pain. If it’s mild, you could be dealing with a minor cavity or tooth sensitivity. In these situations, try to handle the pain using your emergency kit until you can contact your dentist during normal business hours.
If you’re dealing with severe pain, swelling, or a fever, you’ll need to seek more immediate care. Likewise, if there’s bleeding that won’t stop, it’s best to reach out right away. You don’t want to ignore an infection or face excessive blood loss.
In situations where a tooth has been knocked out of your mouth or damaged, don’t delay seeking help. When you’re quick, you might be able to save the tooth.
Manage Your Situation at Home
You might not be able to see a dentist right away for your problem. You may need to wait hours or days, depending on the severity of the situation. Make sure you take a few proactive measures at home while you wait.
Take medication to help alleviate throbbing pain or headaches. Steer clear of hot foods or beverages, and rinse your mouth with saltwater to minimize bacteria. A cold compress can provide relief and help keep swelling under control.
If you’ve lost a tooth, rinse it and put it in a glass of milk. Milk can help maintain root cells and keep the tooth moist until you’re able to see a dentist.
Know When to Get Urgent Help
While you can safely manage some issues at home, others need immediate care. If throbbing pain doesn’t go away or you notice a lot of swelling, get help. A fever, unmanaged bleeding, and broken teeth are other reasons to seek urgent care.
It’s not always easy to know when you should seek after-hours care. You can follow tips for managing tooth abscess pain safely at home, for example, but you don’t want an infection to go unchecked and cause greater harm.
Stay calm, take a deep breath, treat the immediate symptoms, and reassess. When you’re struggling to swallow or breathe, or noticing significant swelling, it’s best to make an emergency dental appointment or go to an urgent care clinic.
Seek a Dentist Outside Normal Business Hours
Locating a dentist on a weekend or at night can be challenging. Fortunately, there are a few ways to start your search.
Look online for emergency dentists in your geographic area. A few names or practices should pop up. Click on the clinic links to find a phone number and weekend hours.
Your normal dentist may have a message on their voicemail indicating what to do in after-hours scenarios, too. Have a pencil and paper ready to write down a name or phone number. Aim to write down this information ahead of an emergency and post the contacts on your refrigerator door or store them in an office drawer.
Be Prepared for a Dental Emergency
You don’t want to be blindsided by a dental emergency, especially if it’s not during normal business hours. Prepare an emergency dental kit, assess your symptoms, and manage your immediate symptoms.
Reach out to an after-hours dentist or seek urgent care, if needed. When you’re calm and prepared, you can take care of your dental situation.
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
