Severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, a lost crown, facial swelling or bleeding after extraction: step-by-step first aid for common dental emergencies and how to find an emergency dentist.
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Knowing what to do in the first minutes can save a tooth, relieve pain and prevent a minor problem from becoming serious. Here is first aid for the most common situations, and when you need urgent care.
A knocked-out permanent tooth replanted within an hour has a good chance of survival.
Severe toothache
- Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to remove any trapped food.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed. Do not place aspirin or any tablet against the gum; it burns the tissue.
- Apply a cold compress to the cheek if there is swelling.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet food, and chew on the other side.
- See a dentist within 24 hours. Pain that wakes you at night or lingers for minutes after hot or cold usually means the nerve is involved and needs treatment.
Knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth
This is a true emergency where minutes matter: a tooth replanted within 30-60 minutes has a good chance of survival.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root.
- If dirty, rinse briefly in milk or saline; do not scrub or dry it.
- If possible, place it back in the socket facing the right way and bite gently on a cloth to hold it.
- If you cannot, keep it in milk, saline or inside the cheek (adults only). Do not store it in water.
- Get to a dentist immediately.
Knocked-out baby teeth are not replanted, but the child should still be seen the same day.
Broken, chipped or cracked tooth
Rinse the mouth, save any fragment in milk, apply a cold compress for swelling and cover any sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax. A small chip can wait a day or two; a large break with pain or a visible pink spot (the nerve) needs same-day care.
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown. Clean it, and if the tooth is sensitive you can temporarily reseat it with a little toothpaste or denture adhesive, never household glue. Temporary filling material from a pharmacy can cover a lost filling. See the dentist within a few days before the tooth shifts or decays.
Swelling, abscess or facial swelling
A pimple on the gum or a swollen, throbbing tooth indicates an abscess. Rinse with salt water, take painkillers and see a dentist within 24 hours for drainage and treatment; antibiotics alone do not cure an abscess. Swelling of the face, eye or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or fever means the infection is spreading: go to a hospital emergency department immediately.
Bleeding after extraction
Some oozing for a few hours is normal. Fold a clean gauze or a damp tea bag, place it over the socket and bite firmly for 30-45 minutes without checking. Sit upright, avoid rinsing, spitting, straws, smoking and hot drinks for 24 hours. If bleeding is heavy or continues beyond a few hours, contact the clinic.
Something stuck between teeth
Use floss gently, sliding it out sideways; never use pins, needles or sharp objects. If it will not come out, see the dentist.
Orthodontic emergencies
A poking wire can be covered with wax or pushed back with a pencil eraser; a loose bracket can be left in place and covered with wax until your next visit. Call the orthodontist for anything causing injury.
Jaw injury
If the jaw may be broken (cannot close the mouth normally, severe pain, teeth do not meet), support it with a bandage and go to a hospital emergency department.
Keep a dental first-aid kit
- Painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Gauze pads and dental wax
- Temporary filling material
- A small container and the phone number of your dentist
Finding an emergency dentist
Many clinics on Dentavya show their timings and accept same-day appointment requests. Find dentists open now near you, call ahead, and describe the problem so the clinic can prepare.
This article is general guidance and does not replace professional advice. If in doubt, seek care promptly.