Why You Need a Dental Emergency Kit
You probably have a first aid kit at home with bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers. But does it include anything for a dental emergency? Most do not.
Dental emergencies are surprisingly common. The American Association of Endodontists estimates that more than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year in the United States. Add in broken teeth, lost fillings, and sudden toothaches, and the odds of someone in your household experiencing a dental emergency at some point are high.
Having a small kit ready means you can respond immediately instead of scrambling to find supplies. It will not replace professional treatment, but it bridges the gap between the emergency and arriving at our office.
What to Include in Your Kit
Here is what we recommend keeping together in a small pouch or container:
Sterile gauze pads: For controlling bleeding from the gums or a tooth socket. Bite down firmly for 15 to 20 minutes.
Small container with a lid: For transporting a knocked-out tooth, broken tooth fragments, or a lost crown to our office. A small jar or even a travel contact lens case works.
Save-A-Tooth or similar tooth preservation solution: These are commercially available kits that contain Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, which keeps the periodontal ligament cells on a knocked-out tooth alive for up to 24 hours. Available at pharmacies and online for about $15.
Ibuprofen (Advil): The best over-the-counter option for dental pain because it reduces both pain and inflammation. Keep adult and children's formulations if you have kids.
Dental wax or sugar-free gum: To cover sharp edges on broken teeth that are cutting the tongue or cheek.
Temporary dental cement: Available at pharmacies (brands like Dentemp). This can temporarily re-attach a lost crown or fill a cavity until you can see us. It is not a permanent fix, but it protects the tooth.
Our phone number: (240) 387-8233. Write it on a card and put it in the kit.
How to Use Each Item
Gauze for bleeding: Fold a gauze pad into a small square, place it over the bleeding area, and bite down with firm, steady pressure for 15 to 20 minutes without checking. Checking too early restarts the clotting process.
Container for a knocked-out tooth: Fill it with cold milk (from the fridge, not room temperature) or Save-A-Tooth solution. Drop the tooth in, crown-end up. Bring it with you to our office.
Dental wax for sharp edges: Pull off a small piece, roll it into a ball, and press it over the sharp edge of the broken tooth. It sticks on its own and protects your tongue and cheek.
Temporary cement for a lost crown: Clean the inside of the crown and the tooth stub gently. Apply the cement to the inside of the crown and press it back onto the tooth. Bite gently to seat it. This is temporary; see us within a day or two.
Ibuprofen for pain: Take as directed on the packaging. For dental pain, ibuprofen works better than acetaminophen because it addresses inflammation, which is usually part of the problem.
Where to Store Your Kit
Keep your dental emergency kit somewhere accessible that every household member knows about. A bathroom cabinet, the family medicine cabinet, or with your regular first aid supplies are all good options.
If you have children who play sports, consider keeping a smaller version in their sports bag. At minimum, include gauze, a small container, and our phone number.
Check the kit once a year. Replace expired ibuprofen and dried-out dental wax. Make sure the Save-A-Tooth solution has not expired (it has a shelf life of about two years).
What Your Kit Cannot Do
A dental emergency kit helps you manage symptoms and protect the tooth until you see a dentist. It does not replace professional treatment.
Temporary cement is not a permanent crown. Dental wax is not a repair. Over-the-counter painkillers manage pain but do not fix the underlying problem.
The kit buys you time and reduces stress. The actual treatment happens at our office. When a dental emergency strikes, use the kit, then call (240) 387-8233 and come see us at 12034 Chase Crossing Circle in North Bethesda.
Emergency Dentist of Rockville is open 24/7. We serve Rockville, North Bethesda, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Potomac, and all of Montgomery County.
