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Dental Emergencies
My father over the years had several health emergencies, but it wasn’t until he had serious health complications that we realized that a lot of it was due to poor dental health. We learned your teeth are a true representation of your overall health and nutrition levels. We learned that his teeth and gums are living and respond to vitamins, minerals and fatty acids just as your skin, hair, muscles and organs do. When you are not getting the proper amounts of vitamins and nutrition in your daily diet, your overall health diminishes and that includes your teeth.
Ensure your teeth and gums will stay healthy, be proactive, learn the daily requirement to keep them strong and incorporate vitamins into your daily routine to help. Remember the last thing you want to do is deal with a dental emergency during a natural emergency or SHTF scenario.
Recommendations
Dentists always emphasize flossing, brushing and controlling sugar in the foods you eat. If you have dental issues make sure to take care of it immediately. This will help you not to have further dental emergencies which can lead to loss of tooth, root canals, infections and even other more serious issues.
Resources
Over the years I have found many resources in preparedness dealing with dental hygiene. What to do without a doctor, and what supplies to have on hand. A good resource to have is a book called To When There Is No Dentist by Murray Dickson a Free PDF version is available just click here . There are many reviews on Amazon check them out for yourself, however from my research I have found this resource uses straightforward understandable language and careful instructions.
Natural Alternatives
As always, if there are natural remedies for dental suffering emergencies that I can use until I can reach a professional I prefer to try those first. Here are a few that I have found work well. Make sure to have some of these on hand for your emergency kit.
Valerian root: This root is a mild sedative that induces both psychological and physical relaxation; this remedy should not be consumed by pregnant or nursing women. Valerian root is available as a capsule, tea, tablet or liquid extract.
Clove oil: Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural pain killer and antibacterial. Mix 2 to 3 drops of pure clove oil with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Saturate a cotton ball with the mixture and place the cotton ball beside the tooth.
Passion flower: This flower has sedative and relaxing properties without habit-forming properties. Not to be used by pregnant and nursing women. Passion flower is available as infusions, teas, liquid extracts and tinctures.
Charcoal: Activated charcoal is available at many drug stores and natural health food stores. Mix two teaspoons of activated charcoal powder with just enough water to make a paste. Apply it to a piece of gauze and place the gauze on the tooth. Bite down.
Vitamins –
Vitamin A: Vitamin A maintains healthy gums. Without it, gum infections do not heal as fast. Lack of vitamin A is also associated with abnormal bone and tooth formation.
B Complex Vitamins: Helps in fighting gum disease. B vitamin deficiencies can make gingivitis more severe and cause sores in the gums, tongue and other soft tissues in the mouth.
Vitamin C: Without it your gums become more vulnerable to infection, bleeding, and gum disease. Studies have shown people who consume less Vitamin C tend to be 25% more likely to suffer from gum disease.
Vitamin D: This vitamin strengthens your immunity against disease and also absorbs calcium needed for healthy teeth. Vitamin D has been shown to reduce gingivitis because of the anti- inflammatory effects of the vitamin.
Calcium: 99% of the calcium in your body is in your bones and your teeth. Dietary calcium is required to make sure your cones and teeth are strong. Children’s teeth also need Calcium to develop properly.
Phosphorus: Calcium alone cannot take all the credit for proper teeth formation. In fact, about 85% of phosphorus in the body can be found in bones and teeth. It has been found that vitamin D compliments this mineral by boosting the effectiveness.
Supplies
Having dental supplies to rely on during short-or long-term emergencies in a necessity for anyone not wanting to ever deal with the pain of a tooth ache and not be able to see a dentist.
Here is a list of a few items to consider for your dental emergency kit.
Short-Term Emergency Dental Kit
- Dental emergency resource guide
- Dental exam gloves
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes (soft bristled brushes)
- Floss
- Fluoride rinse
- Cotton balls
- Cotton gauze pads
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- Orabase with Benzocaine
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Temporary cap filler
- Instant ice packs
- Dental mirror
- Salt (for rinsing)
- Clove oil (for tooth aches and antimicrobial properties)
- Penlight or headlamp
- Carmex
Longer-Term Dental Emergency Supplies
- Vitamins
- Dental tool assortment
- Monofilament or suture “thread”
- Suture needles
- Celox or quikclot
- Instant ice packs
- Antibiotics
- Brace wax
Temporary relief can be administered easily with some preparation until the regular dentist can be seen. Luckily fast emergency treatment can sometimes make the difference between a saving a lost tooth and losing it permanently.
Dental emergency kit is one of those supplies we either forget or put on the back burner to get to. Having planned ahead and being prepared with the supplies you will need during the emergency might make it bearable during the crisis.
Remember to always stay up on your dental health, see your dentist regularly for check-ups, eat well and take vitamins to stay healthy.
