YOU probably have a first aid kit in your home to handle life’s minor bumps and bruises. But are you prepared for a dental emergency?

Everyone should have an oral first aid kit in their home. Dental injuries and emergencies are very common among children and adults. With just a few items from the drug store, you can put together an oral first aid kit in your home to better handle tooth or mouth injuries.

While the kit does not replace professional treatment, you can use it to treat minor mouth irritations and injuries as well as help alleviate or control major oral problems until the patient can get to a dentist or physician.

The following items should be in your home oral first aid kit: dental mirror, dental floss, cotton balls, cotton swabs, sterile gauze, sealable plastic bag (to dispose of bloody gauze or swabs), toothbrush, tweezers, wash-cloth, aspirin or aspirin substitute, instant ice pack, bottled water, salt, paraffin or dental wax, medical exam gloves, and an oxygenating oral cleanser such as hydrogen peroxide.

TIPS FOR HANDLING COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES

1. Toothache: Rinse 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 or cold compress on the outside of the cheek (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).

Do not use heat. An aspirin or aspirin substitute may be taken orally to relieve pain. Do not place directly on gum tissue as this may result in a burn. See your dentist as soon as possible.

2. 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. If you can’t remove it, see a dentist.

3. Canker or mouth sore: Canker sores are small, white wounds inside the mouth on the cheek, gums or tongue. They can be caused by cheek biting, vigorous tooth brushing, burns from hot foods, and irritation from braces or dentures.

The bubbling action of an oxygenating cleanser such as hydrogen peroxide will remove food particles and other irritants from the sore — so you can eat and drink without the pain.

4. Knocked out tooth: If possible, retrieve the tooth. If it is a baby tooth, place it in a container of milk, saltwater or the patient’s saliva. If these are unavailable, use water. If it is a permanent tooth, take care not to touch the root and carefully insert the tooth back in place. Go to the dentist immediately.

5. Broken Tooth: Gently clean dirt or debris from injured area with an antiseptic oral cleanser. Place ice pack or cold compress on the face in the area of the injured tooth to minimise swelling. If the tooth has created a sharp edge, cover with paraffin (wax) to prevent lacerations to the gums or cheek. See a dentist immediately.

6. Bitten lip or tongue: Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area for 15 to 20 minutes using sterile gauze. Rinse with an oral cleanser to alleviate bleeding and clean the wound.

If swelling is present, apply ice pack or cold compress. If bleeding continues, go to a hospital emergency room.

Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Dr Robinson is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica, School of Oral Health Sciences. She may be contacted at 630-4710. Like their Facebook page, Dental Place Cosmetix Spa, for an opportunity to take advantage of weekly specials.