If you are planning on heading out into the countryside for an extended solo hiking holiday, you will want to make sure you are completely prepared. While you will no doubt have packed emergency equipment such as a torch, a thermal blanket, glow sticks and extra rations, you may not have considered what you will do if you have a dental emergency. Read on to find out about the things you should take with you to protect your dental health during a hiking trip in the wilderness.
Pocket mirror
Because solo hiking means you will be alone, it is important that you pack a small pocket mirror. By positioning the mirror in front of your open mouth, you will be able to have a look at what is going on back there. While it is unlikely you will be able to do much about the problem, being able to see the extent of the problem can help you to keep things in perspective. For example, you may believe you have cracked a tooth in half because a small chip to the surface can feel much bigger when you run your tongue over it. By looking in the mirror, you can assess if your dental problem is an emergency or not.
Painkillers
One thing that most dental emergencies have in common is that they can cause you significant pain. Each of your teeth has a nerve within it which runs through your jaw bone. If you break a tooth or if your gum becomes inflamed, this can place pressure on the nerve which results in sharp and unpleasant pain. The best way to combat this pain in the short-term is to take some painkillers. Ideally, you should look for a brand of painkiller which contains paracetamol and codeine. Codeine is an opiate painkiller which will pack the extra punch needed to overcome a severe toothache. It is also a good idea to pack some ibuprofen. Ibuprofen will help to reduce any inflammation around the damaged tooth or gum which will help to reduce the amount of pressure on the nerve.
Gauze
If you have lost a tooth and the wound in your gum will not stop bleeding, packing it with sterile gauze is a great way of controlling the situation. While spitting out blood may look alarming, in most cases, the use of gauze will stop the bleeding.
If you are interested in finding out more, you should get in touch with a local emergency dentist today. They may be able to offer you further help and advice about how to cope with a dental emergency when in the Outback.
