Learning how to cope with an emergency situation while its occurring is the best way to prepare. The same is true for dental emergencies. There are many things you can do to prepare for it, such as making sure you have good insurance or that the money is set aside to be able to financially handle the emergency. If you are faced with a dental emergency, here is some information that can help you be prepared:

What Type of Dental Emergency Is It?

When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s common to panic and be flustered for words. Before you call your dentist take a moment to calm down and figure out exactly what happened. Make a list of your symptoms, so that you can explain them in a clear and concise manner. Some dental emergencies include: gum infections, chipped tooth, a tooth that fell out, a crown that’s come loose, and a filling that has fallen out. Are you experiencing pain or bleeding? Is your face swollen? Are you experiencing a headache? These facts will help the dental office know what’s happening and how they can best help you.

Get in Touch with Your Dental Office

Now that you have your list ready, it’s time to call your dentist’s office. If you don’t currently have a dentist or yours is closed, there are many places that will take patients on an emergency basis. If it’s too late and the office is closed, leave a message telling them what happened and your symptoms so they can get back to you. If no one is open and you feel your dental emergency requires immediate help, you might want to go to the hospital. At least call the hospital before you go so you know if they can be of any help or what they recommend.

Practice Basic First Aid if Needed

When you experience a dental emergency, you may have to take care of yourself until you can get to the dentist. You may have to stop, or reduce as best as possible, any bleeding with gauze. If you’re in pain, you’ll want to reduce it by using ice or a pain reliever that will help for the time being. These solutions will help until you can get in to see a professional. You always want to have your dental emergency examined as soon as possible, but in the instance of a tooth that fell out, sooner is better so the tooth is more likely to be saved. Consult with a professional to know the best route to take when dealing with any dental emergency, no matter how small it may seem.

Accidents happen and this holds true for dental emergencies. They can happen anywhere at anytime, so you want to be prepared. Keeping items in your first aid kit that will help in the event of a dental emergency is important. Having your dental office’s phone number accessible as well as a couple of emergency dental office’s just in case. You can also take preventive measures to avoid some emergencies by getting regular checkups and practicing good oral hygiene. Being prepared for anything is will take a lot of pressure off should a dental emergency occur.