I recently had a dental emergency when I started feeling severe pain in a tooth that just recently got a crown. I was mystified as to why the tooth would start hurting when I had already gotten treatment for the tooth and had spent a lot of money on a new crown. It happened over a long holiday weekend, so no dentist was available.
Fortunately, I had a small emergency dental kit, which helped me get some relief until I could see a dentist.
This situation also got me thinking: What if you have a dental emergency during a disaster? You would not be able to make an emergency appointment with a dentist until after the emergency has passed. These supplies can provide some relief until you can see a dentist.
What to Include in an Emergency Dental Kit
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Mouth wash
- Dental picks
- Hand sanitizer – so you can clean your hands before touching your tooth
- Nitrile gloves
- Hydrogen peroxide -kills bacteria and can provide some relief.
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Oral analgesic such as Oragel or Anbesol
- Dental cotton gauze rolls to help stop bleeding
- Hot/cold pack to relieve swelling or pain
- Sterile cotton balls
- Sterile cotton tip applicators
- Sterile gauze
- Temporary filling material
- Table salt (I’ll explain how to use further in the article)
- Saline solution
- Organic Clove essential oil (organic therapeutic grade)
- When There is No Dentist paperback book
Commercial Kits
There are also some commercial dental care kits you can purchase from Amazon, Walmart, or other department stores that contain most of the materials needed to repair a lost filling and relieve pain.
How to Use Your Emergency Dental Care Kit
Lost Tooth
If you lose a tooth, find the tooth and rinse it with clean water. Save it in a jar and cover it with saline solution. Save it and see a dentist as soon as possible.
Help stop the bleeding using dental cotton gauze rolls. Gargle with the saline solution. Use a cold pack to relieve swelling or pain.
Chipped Tooth
If you break a tooth, you may have sharp edges that can cut up your gums or tongue. Use dental wax to cover the sharp edges to protect your gums, tongue, or cheeks. See a dentist as soon as possible.
Lost Filling or Crown
If you lose a filling or crown, rinse your mouth with clean water. Dry the area using cotton swabs. Use temporary dental filling material to cover the affected part. Follow the package instructions for proper application. Chew on the unaffected side of your mouth until you can see a dentist.
If you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with a cup of warm water (mixed with a teaspoon of salt). Use the oral pain relief gel on the affected tooth, and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain as needed.
Gum Irritation
If your gums become swollen or irritated, rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash or gargle with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt.
When There is No Dentist
It’s a good idea to read the book When There is No Dentist as a resource on resolving dental emergencies when you cannot visit a dentist.
How I Found Relief for My Tooth Ache
Clove Oil
In my case, I used clove oil for a couple of days for pain relief during the time I was waiting to see the dentist. I’m not a dentist, but I checked with my dentist a while ago, and he told me it was fine as a temporary remedy. You should check with your dentist on what they recommend for toothache in case of an emergency.
Clove oil contains a natural anesthetic called eugenol, which helps numb the area around the tooth and reduce toothache pain. It is also naturally anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling in the gum area. I purchased clove oil from Amazon. Make sure it’s organic and of therapeutic grade.
Here is how I used it for pain relief.
Materials needed:
- Therapeutic organic clove oil
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Sterile cotton swab
- Small bowl where you can mix the ingredients.
First, I washed my hands. I then added a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil to a small dish. Five drops of clove oil were added, and the oils were mixed together. I applied the mixture to the affected area using a cotton ball or swab and spit out any excess. I didn’t swallow the clove oil mixture. After waiting about five minutes, it started working and numbed the pain. I reapplied every three hours or so.
If you try this remedy, watch for any adverse reactions. If you have a bad reaction or feel any side effects such as excessive burning, breathing difficulties, upset stomach, or diarrhea, discontinue use immediately.
Another alternative for clove oil is peppermint oil. Use the same procedure: mix five drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil. Apply to the affected area with a cotton ball or swab.
Salt Water
I gargled with warm salt water three times a day. I mixed a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water, stirring until the salt dissolved. Salt water reduces inflammation and also relieves pain.
Pain Relievers
When I had the toothache, it kept me from falling asleep as it was so painful. I took some ibuprofen for pain relief at night.
Emergency Dental Kit Storage
Store your dental care supplies in a cool, dry place, preferably in an air-tight container.
Keep your dental care kit next to your first aid kit in an easily accessible area you can quickly find in an emergency. You’ll be stressed out enough if you are having tooth pain. You need to be able to reach it quickly.
Replace any items as you use them up, and check for expired items so you can replace them.
Once I saw my dentist later that week, I found out that the tooth’s root got infected and would require a root canal. I was glad I had my emergency dental care kit on hand. I made a big difference in managing my dental issues until I was able to get professional help. Even if you have regular dental checkups and take care of your teeth, it’s a good idea to assemble a dental emergency care kit just in case.
Additional Resources:
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