A dental emergency can occur anytime, any place. What would you do if you lost a filling? Cracked a tooth?

Here are a few first aid guidelines for the most common dental emergencies.

For a cracked tooth:

• Immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. As always, consult a dentist immediately.

For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth:

• Keep it moist at all times.
• If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root.
• If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

If you have a severe toothaches:

• Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out.
• Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth.
• Do NOT put aspirin on your gum because it can burn the gum tissue. If you experience severe swelling and have difficulty swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, contact your dentist and get an appointment as soon as possible.

It also helps to be prepared for a dental emergency while you’re out-of-town. Keep an updated list of prescription medications, as well as any herbal remedies you’re taking.