Dentek is an American company who specialise in various dental products; they were founded in 1984 in California – U.S.A, but are now based in Tennessee. Their most popular product which can be found in the U.K is the Dentek First Aid Kit. Please note, when using the kit it is important to read the instructions as some materials are not suitable for everybody and are not suitable to use for certain dental problems.
The Dentek First Aid Kit contains
- Cotton wool swabs
- Wooden applicator
- Temporary filling material/crown, bridge, inlay and onlay cement
- Pain reducing liquid
- Tooth and crown saver
The temporary filling material is similar to one which is used in dental surgeries, and provided the area that it needs to be placed in is clean and dry, it actually stays in place for a number of weeks! (Trust me I’ve used it myself).
The cotton swabs make drying the area concerned easy, and the wooden applicator makes placing the material easy too.
The temporary filling material can also be used as a temporary cement to re-fix crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays, however if you do not wish to (or cannot) re-fix them yourself you can simply place your crown or bridge in the tooth/crown saving box and be assured that you won’t lose it before you take it with you to the dentist, where it will probably be re-fixed permanently.
The pain reducing liquid contains something called eugenol – this is a constituent of many soothing temporary dressings used in dental surgeries, although I have never used this myself, as it contains eugenol, I know that it should help to reduce dental pain, perhaps alongside over the counter anti-inflammatory painkillers, however you must book an appointment to see your dentist if you are suffering from dental pain, teeth do not heal themselves.
This kit will not solve your dental problems long term – it is purely a temporary measure, and all problems should be dealt with by a professional dentist, it is of vital importance to make a dental appointment in order to solve your dental emergencies and mishaps!
This kit is ideal to take away on holiday (or keep in a handbag or briefcase) in case a dental problem arises unexpectedly, it could save time and money which may otherwise be spent visiting a dentist while abroad. Because the kit is so compact and contains everything you need to either temporarily replace a crown or bridge or to temporarily replace a lost filling, it’s well worth packing and doesn’t take up too much room in your case. The kit is also a good buy if you have a dental problem at home but need to wait for an appointment with your dentist, speaking from personal experience it is ideal when a filling has been lost and you just need something to fill a hole which is catching food.
Dentek also produce various other quick fix kits including one for easing pain from braces, however I personally find the First Aid kit the most useful and most readily available one in the U.K.
