Dr. Sameet Koppikar and our team at Biltmore Dental Center believe that prevention is the best treatment of all, and we offer a number of preventive services in Phoenix. Comprehensive exams, professional cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, patient education, cancer screenings, and more, help protect the oral and overall health of our patients. Unfortunately, even with the best professional and at-home oral care, a dental emergency can occur at any time. A well-stocked dental first aid kit can provide temporary solutions to many issues.
- Phone number – It is important to have Biltmore Dental Center’s phone number readily available so you can contact the doctor immediately
- Sterile disposable gloves ¬ – Non-latex gloves (in case the person has an allergy to latex) can prevent contamination during care
- Cotton tipped swabs – Sterile cotton swabs can be used to clean the area or to apply a topical pain reliever
- Sterile gauze – Direct pressure with gauze can help control bleeding of the lips, cheeks, or gums
- Dental floss – In many cases, dental floss can be used to remove objects caught between the teeth
- Dental wax – Broken brace wires can be covered with dental wax to prevent injury to the cheeks
- Temporary filling – A product such as Tempanol or Cavit temporary filling material can be used to replace a lost filling temporarily, until you can see the doctor
- Dental mirror – It is easier to treat a tooth when you can easily see inside the mouth
- Denture adhesive – Sugarless gum or denture adhesive can be used to hold a lost crown or other restoration in place until you can see the doctor
- Salt – Two teaspoons of salt mixed with eight ounces of water can be used to rinse the mouth or to transport a knocked out tooth to the dentist’s office
- Ice bag – A cold compress can be used to reduce swelling
- Toothache medicine – Products such as Oragel, Anbesol, or clove oil can provide temporary relief for a toothache can be
- Pain reliever – A non-aspirin, over the counter pain reliever can reduce discomfort
- Emergency instructions – You can find instructions on handling many common dental emergencies on our website. Making a note of these instructions and placing them in the dental first aid kit can save time when a problem occurs.
It is important to remain calm, and call Dr. Koppikar as soon as possible. If there is extensive bleeding due to an injury, or the possibility of a broken bone, call your primary care physician or visit the hospital emergency room immediately.
Phoenix residents turn to Dr. Koppikar and the team at Biltmore Dental Centers for solutions when they have a dental emergency. Call (602) 714 2223 to schedule an appointment today, regular dental care is the best way to avoid most dental issues.