Emergency dentistry at home. These are not usually words that should go together, and yet there are a few items you should have around home that will greatly help in the event of a dental emergency. These are by no means a substitute for visiting a dentist. They are some really handy tips for minimising damage, thus making it easier for your dentist to preserve your smile. So what are some of the things you might have at home that will help in a dental emergency?

1. Salt

Simple household salt is extremely helpful in a dental emergency. It soothes and cleans a bleeding gum or broken tooth and is still extremely gentle. Mouthwash also keeps your mouth clean, but is often too harsh when you have an open wound in your mouth. It doesn't matter if you have fancy sea salt flakes or a pack of the supermarket's own brand. All you need to do is dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 200ml of lukewarm water, gently swirl the solution in your mouth and spit. This is ideal for gums that might be bleeding due to a dental abscess or a bloody tooth socket from when a tooth has been knocked out. It will keep the area clean, minimising the risk of infection entering the wound.

2. Milk

If you should ever knock a tooth out, then head to the fridge. Fill a small container with milk, and submerge the tooth until you're able to get to a dentist. It preserves the nerve endings in the tooth, making reattachment a far easier option for your dentist. Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution, drop the tooth into a small container of milk, seal it, and get to a dentist as soon as possible. The quicker you act, the more likely it is that your dentist can reinsert the tooth into position. While any type of milk is suitable, Ultra High Temperature-treated (UHT) milk is best.

3. Ibuprofen

A dental abscess can bring on extreme pain within a fairly short timeframe, as can any toothache. What can be the vaguest suggestion of pain can become agony within just a few hours. Any over the counter pain medication is helpful in these circumstances, but ibuprofen is by far the best. Abscessed teeth and most toothaches are accompanied by swelling, which adds to the pain as the delicate nerve endings in your teeth and gums are compressed. Ibuprofen contains an anti-inflammatory agent which can help to reduce the swelling. Remember that most toothaches and dental abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection, which won't go away without your dentist's careful intervention. Even if ibuprofen seemingly cures your pain, don't delay in getting to your dentist's office, since the pain will almost certainly return before too long.

Milk, salt and pain medication is something that you won't have to look too hard for, and yet these simple household items are utterly invaluable when it comes to dental emergencies.

For more information, contact a business such as Mandurah Dental Surgery.