Dental emergency? What to do in the first hour

Dental problems rarely happen at a convenient time. What you do in the first hour can make a real difference — especially if a tooth has been knocked out. Here’s a simple guide.

Knocked-out adult tooth

1. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
2. If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or clean water. Don’t scrub it.
3. If you can, gently push it back into its socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
4. If not, keep it in milk or inside your cheek — not in plain water.
5. See a dentist straight away, ideally within the hour.

Baby teeth should not be put back in, but do bring your child in to be checked.

Broken or chipped tooth

Rinse with warm water, keep any pieces, and hold a cold compress against your cheek to limit swelling. Avoid chewing on that side until you’ve been seen.

Severe toothache

Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently around the tooth in case something is trapped. You can take a painkiller that’s suitable for you, following the instructions on the pack — but don’t place tablets directly on the gum, as they can burn it.

Swelling of the face or gum

Swelling often means an infection and needs prompt care. Hold a cold compress against the outside of your face and call us.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the crown safe and bring it with you. Avoid very hot, cold or sweet foods on that side. We’ll protect the tooth and re-cement or replace the restoration.

Bleeding after an extraction

Bite firmly on clean gauze for 15–20 minutes, keep your head raised, and avoid rinsing hard. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call us.

At Dental Perfection in Banani we see emergency patients the same day whenever we can, and walk-ins are welcome during opening hours. Emergency dental treatment →

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different — please see a dentist for advice about your own teeth.