A dental emergency can be scary and cause a great deal of anxiety. You may find yourself searching "dentist near me” in hopes of finding a dentist who is willing to take your call and help you. In the meantime, it’s essential that you know how to deal with the anxiety and fear that can accompany an emergency dental situation. Read on to find out how to handle these feelings.
Tips for Handling Fear During a Dental Emergency
No one expects a dental emergency to happen, but if you or a loved one experiences a tooth or mouth injury, follow these steps to alleviate your anxiety:
1. Try to stay calm – If you panic during an emergency, your blood pressure will go up, and you won’t be able to think clearly.
2. Take deep breaths – If you breathe deeply during an emergency, it will help calm your nervous system and help you think clearly so that you can act accordingly.
3. Prepare an emergency dental kit ahead of time – Since a dental emergency can involve an injury or bleeding, you should have an emergency kit ready to help yourself or the person who has sustained the injury. Keep gloves, gauze, pain medications, and a container for a knocked-out tooth so you are ready in an emergency. If someone is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding.
4. Analyze the situation – Once you have calmed yourself and dealt with the immediate injury, you should determine whether you should call your Jensen Beach dentist or go to the emergency room. If the situation is not life-threatening, call your emergency dentist.
5. Call your dentist or drive to their dental office – If the emergency isn’t life-threatening, call your dentist or go directly to their office, depending on whether the emergency happens during regular business hours.
6. Give relief – While waiting for the dentist’s instructions, use ice packs or pain medication to help with the dental emergency.
7. Talk to your dentist – It’s important to tell your dentist that you are feeling anxious and scared so they can help you relax.
Do You Need an Emergency Dentist in Jensen Beach, FL?
If you or a loved one has suffered a dental emergency, we are ready to take your call! At Christopher J. Wigley, DMD, our professional team is equipped to ease your anxiety and handle your dental emergency. You can contact our dental office at (772) 334-4004 for more information or to schedule an appointment.