Question:
I am putting together some emergency first aid
supplies for an extended wilderness camping trip, and apart from
regular first aid equipment, the issue came up as to dental emergencies
in the "wild", so to speak. I imagine the kinds of things that would
cause problems may include lost fillings, a broken or cracked tooth, or
severe toothache. Not being a dentist, I am assuming these are
conditions which will require immediate attention, potentially in a
location far from a dentist's office. I also do not mean to imply that
these first aid measures should replace a visit to the dentist at the
earliest moment it becomes possible to do so. I have significant emergency
first aid training from the Army Medical Corps, however I have no dental
experience other than treating combat casulties for major jaw/head
trauma in the field.
Can anyone please offer some suggestions for supplies that I may
include for such emergency situations, or direct me to some appropriate
reading material that I might take along as reference? Any help will
certainly be appreciated.
Answer:
I don't guite get the joke... but that's one of the hazards facing
comedians, isn't it ;-)? But seriously, Marshall asks a pretty good
question. What should people be including in their first aid kits for
dental emergencies? If someone can offer some good tips, I'd be happy to
consider including the information in the TMJ Foundation's website in a
section that is being developed on health related Travel Issues (something
that many people overlook). Many people travel to remote destinations
around the world and the wilderness of the US isn't the only place where a
dentist may not be readily accessible. There is much to discuss about
what to do if US residents need any kind of health care outside of their
country. I don't know how citizens of other countries manage these
needs. The organization would need to tailor the information in the
website more to people who have special jaw concerns because for some it
can involve some complicated medical care, but Marshall's question is
basic to all of us who may be far from the comforts of home. I think it's
a great subject line.
One of the best ways to be prepared for a potential dental emergency is to
have excellent dental care (both home and professionally) before any trip
into the wild. Less than perfect teeth are more likely to have problems
and create "emergencies". Weak teeth should be crowned, gum health
should be excellent, all decayed teeth should be identified and restored,
and supplies for proper dental hygiene should be carried. I believe that
there are comercial preparations in pharmacies for temporary fillings. If
you cannot find one, a small container of zinc oxide and a few drops of
eugenol (clove oil) can be mixed into a thick dough and placed in a tooth
in place of a lost filling. Traumatic dental injuries are different. I
am not aware of any easy solutions. If a tooth is knocked out, it should
be rinsed in clean water and replace in the socket. Then it needs to be
immobilized. I don't know of any "kit items" that would make this
possible. Suspected broken jaws would present similar difficulties.
Antibiotics would be handy in case of any type of dental infection.
Who cares what you think. YDFW is a fake. Why else does he use the
anon mailer if he is'nt hiding. I use a pen-name because I am a
patient. I would not take any advice from this charlatan. Or make him
reveal his true identity before you do. There should be some serious
concern about a doctor who hides behind an anonymous mailer.
