A dental emergency has a way of arriving at the worst possible moment — a sudden toothache at night, a tooth knocked out during sport, a crown that comes away over the weekend. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a genuine difference to the outcome, so it is worth reading this before you ever need it.
Knocked-out tooth
For an adult tooth that has been knocked out completely, time is everything. Pick the tooth up by the crown — never the root — and if it is dirty, rinse it very gently. If you can, place it back in the socket and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it. If that isn’t possible, keep it in a cup of milk (not water) and get to a dentist as quickly as possible.
Severe toothache or swelling
Persistent, throbbing pain or facial swelling usually signals infection and should be seen promptly. In the meantime, rinsing with warm salt water and taking your usual pain relief can help. Avoid placing aspirin directly against the gum — it burns the tissue rather than helping.
Broken tooth, lost crown or filling
Save any pieces if you can, and keep the area clean. A broken tooth may have a sharp edge that a little dental wax or sugar-free gum can cover temporarily. A lost crown or filling is usually not an emergency in itself, but it is worth booking soon before the exposed tooth is damaged further.
When in doubt, call
If you are unsure how serious a problem is, telephone the clinic and describe what has happened — we can advise you on what to do and how quickly you need to be seen. Prompt care almost always means simpler treatment.