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Basic Items in Your First-Aid Kits Will Help You Be Prepared

First-aid kits are commonly stocked with bandages, antiseptic items, wraps, and other items intended to help you prepare for common injuries. Unfortunately, many people don’t think to add oral care items to the kit. This could leave you ill prepared to effectively treat a dental trauma or oral emergency.

To better address this important concern, Dr. Shuichi Yamaguchi suggests adding some or all of the following items to each of your first-aid kits.

In the case of an oral trauma, you will likely need to clear your mouth of blood and any other unwanted matter to better assess the severity of the injury. Keeping a collapsible cup and some small salt packets in your first-aid kit will help you make a salt water rinse to wash unwanted material away.

In the case of a dental avulsion, or a knocked-out tooth, you might want to keep a tooth preservation canister on hand. This is filled with a specially formulated nourishing gel. To use it, you simply place the knocked-out tooth in the jar and seal it. The nourishing gel will keep it alive for a short time while Dr. Shuichi Yamaguchi determines the best course of treatment.

Waxed dental floss and a floss threader can also be handy if you need to remove an item that becomes stuck between two teeth or lodged in the gumline.

If you live in the Everett, Washington, area and you have an oral first-aid question, you can always call 425-385-8130 to speak to a staff member at 19th Avenue Dental.