Short answer: for a knocked-out adult tooth, the next 30–60 minutes decide whether it can be saved — pick it up by the crown (never the root), gently place it back in the socket if you can, or store it in milk, and get to a dentist immediately. Below is exactly what to do for the most common dental emergencies, and how to reach same-day care in Vaishali.

A tooth has been knocked out (adult tooth)

This is the one true race against the clock. Do this:

1. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root.
2. If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or clean water — do not scrub it or remove any tissue.
3. If you can, gently push it back into the socket the right way round and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it.
4. If you cannot reimplant it, store it in milk (or inside the cheek for an older child/adult) — never in plain water for long, and never let it dry out.
5. Get to a dentist within the hour. Sooner is better; after about 60 minutes the odds of saving it fall sharply.

For a baby tooth that is knocked out, do not reimplant it — that can harm the developing adult tooth underneath. Control bleeding and see a dentist.

A tooth is broken or chipped

Save any pieces in milk. Rinse your mouth with warm water, use a cold pack on the cheek for swelling, and cover a sharp edge with dental wax or sugar-free gum if it is cutting your tongue. A small chip can often wait a day or two; a large break exposing the pink inner pulp, or a tooth that hurts to air and cold, needs prompt care — it may need a filling, a root canal or a crown depending on depth.

Severe toothache or swelling

Throbbing pain that keeps you awake, or a swelling of the gum, cheek or face, usually means infection and should be seen quickly. Facial swelling that is spreading, or that comes with fever or difficulty swallowing, is urgent — read our dedicated guide to face and gum swelling, and for night-time pain, what to do about sudden tooth pain.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the crown if you have it. Clean the area gently and avoid chewing on that side. A temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth for a day, but see a dentist soon so the tooth does not fracture or decay under the gap.

Bleeding after an injury

Press a clean gauze or cloth firmly on the area for 10–15 minutes. Most bleeding from the lip, gum or tongue settles this way. If it does not stop, or a cut is deep, seek care.

What NOT to do

Do not put aspirin directly on the gum (it burns the tissue), do not ignore a “settled” abscess (the infection is still there), and do not scrub or dry a knocked-out tooth. Painkillers help you cope but never fix the cause.

When it is a medical emergency, not just dental

Go to a hospital / call emergency services if there is uncontrollable bleeding, a suspected jaw fracture after trauma, or swelling that is affecting your breathing or swallowing. Dental clinics handle teeth; airways and major trauma need a hospital first.

Frequently asked questions

Can a knocked-out tooth really be put back?

Yes — a clean adult tooth reimplanted within about an hour, ideally within minutes, often survives with follow-up treatment. Milk storage buys you time.

Do you see emergencies without an appointment?

We keep time for urgent problems and are open seven days a week. Call ahead so we are ready for you.

Dr Bandhavi’s Dental Clinic & Implant Centre in Sector 4, Vaishali is open seven days a week for urgent care. If you are dealing with a broken or knocked-out tooth right now, call or WhatsApp +91 92174 22917 and come straight in.