Sudden dental pain? We see emergencies same-day.

If an adult tooth got knocked out

1. Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown (the white part), NOT the root.
2. Rinse it gently in clean water for 5-10 seconds. Do not scrub. Do not use soap.
3. Try to put it back in the socket immediately if possible — press it gently into position and bite down on a clean cloth to hold it there. The faster it goes back in, the better the outcome.
4. If you can’t reimplant it, store the tooth in milk (best), saliva (under the tongue if the patient is conscious and adult), or saline solution. Do NOT store in plain water — the cells die.
5. Call us right now on the way to the clinic. Tell us you have a knocked-out tooth. We’ll be ready.

Note: baby teeth that get knocked out should NOT be reimplanted — bring the child in for assessment.

If a tooth chipped or broke

1. Save the broken piece if you can find it. Sometimes we can bond it back. Wrap in damp tissue and bring with you.
2. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear any sharp fragments.
3. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean gauze for 10 minutes.
4. Cover sharp edges with sugar-free chewing gum or orthodontic wax if available — prevents cuts to tongue/cheek.
5. Avoid chewing on that side until you’re seen.
6. No hot/cold drinks — if the break exposed the inner tooth, temperature will cause sharp pain.
7. Book within 24-72 hours. Even if it doesn’t hurt now, exposed dentin allows fast decay underneath.

If your face/jaw is swelling

1. This is urgent. Swelling means dental infection has spread — needs same-day clinical attention.
2. Apply a cool compress to the outside of the cheek for 15-20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Reduces swelling.
3. Sleep elevated on two pillows tonight.
4. Drink water and stay hydrated — helps the body fight infection.
5. If you usually take a pain reliever from your home medicine cabinet, continue your existing routine. We will manage the underlying cause as soon as you reach us. Do not start a new medication without speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.
6. Call us NOW. Do not wait for tomorrow. Untreated dental infection can rarely (but seriously) spread to airway or bloodstream.

If bleeding won’t stop

1. Sit upright — lying down or bending over increases blood pooling at the site.
2. Roll a clean gauze or cotton into a thick wad. Place over the bleeding site.
3. Bite down firmly for 30 minutes continuously. Don’t check or change the gauze during this time — clot formation needs uninterrupted pressure.
4. Don’t spit, rinse, or use a straw for 24 hours — suction dislodges the clot.
5. Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, smoking, and physical exercise for at least 24 hours.
6. If still bleeding after 30 minutes of pressure, switch to a tea bag (the tannins help clotting) and bite down for another 30 minutes.
7. If bleeding hasn’t stopped after 60 minutes total, call us — we may need to suture the site.

If a crown or filling fell out

1. Save the crown if you have it. Often we can re-cement the same crown if it’s undamaged — much cheaper than making a new one.
2. Don’t try to glue it back in yourself. Household glue (super glue, Fevicol) is toxic to gum tissue and contaminates the surface so we can’t re-cement properly.
3. If you must temporarily seal it: dental wax or sugar-free chewing gum can cover the exposed tooth for a few hours. Pharmacies sell “dental temp” sealants too.
4. Avoid chewing on that side — unprotected tooth can fracture.
5. No hot or cold drinks — exposed dentin is highly sensitive.
6. Book a slot within 3-5 days. Not a true emergency, but the longer you wait, the more likely the tooth shifts or decays.