Stay calm and act quickly

Dental emergencies are stressful, and what you do in the first few minutes can make a real difference, especially for a knocked-out tooth. This guide covers the common situations. It is first aid only: always get seen by a dentist as soon as you can.

First aid for a knocked-out tooth: pick by the crown, rinse gently, keep moist, see a dentist fast

Knocked-out adult tooth

Time matters. The sooner it is put back, the better the chance it survives.

  1. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
  2. If dirty, rinse gently with milk or saline for a few seconds. Do not scrub or use soap.
  3. If you can, place it back in the socket and gently bite on a clean cloth to hold it. Do not force it.
  4. If you cannot, keep it moist in cold milk or inside the cheek (for an adult or older child who will not swallow it). Do not store it in plain water or wrap it in tissue.
  5. See a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes.

Do not try to replant a knocked-out baby tooth. Call us instead.

Chipped or broken tooth

  • Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
  • Keep any broken piece in milk or saline and bring it along.
  • Use a cold pack on the cheek for swelling.
  • If a sharp edge cuts your tongue or cheek, a small piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax can cover it.
  • Avoid chewing on that side and book a dentist visit. Even small chips can hide deeper cracks.

Severe toothache

  • Rinse with lukewarm water and gently floss to remove trapped food.
  • Use painkillers your doctor or dentist has advised, and follow the label. Do not place aspirin on the gum.
  • A cold pack on the outside of the cheek can ease swelling.
  • Do not ignore pain that wakes you at night or lasts more than a day. It can mean infection, and a tooth infection will not clear up by itself.

Swelling, fever or a pimple on the gum

A swelling on the gum, a bad taste or a small pimple-like bump can mean an abscess. Facial swelling or fever needs urgent attention. If swelling spreads toward the eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Lost filling or crown

  • Keep the crown if you can.
  • Clean it and, if it fits, you can use a small amount of dental cement from a pharmacy to hold it temporarily. Never use super glue.
  • Avoid chewing on it and call us.

Bleeding after an extraction or injury

  • Bite firmly on clean gauze for 15 to 20 minutes without lifting to check.
  • Keep your head raised and avoid rinsing hard or spitting.
  • If bleeding continues after that, call us or go to an emergency room.

Injury to the lip, tongue or cheek

Rinse gently with water, apply light pressure with a clean cloth, and use a cold pack for swelling. Deep cuts, cuts that will not stop bleeding, or injuries to the face and jaw should be seen urgently by a doctor.

What not to do

  • Do not put a crushed painkiller directly on the gum.
  • Do not try to pull or push back a wobbly adult tooth by force.
  • Do not wait to "see if it settles" with swelling, fever or a knocked-out tooth.

Prepare in advance

Save our numbers in your phone: Meera Bagh +91 75339 51611 and Gurugram +91 98106 64561. Keep a small dental first-aid kit at home with gauze, a cold pack, a small container with a lid, and dental wax. Our emergency dentist page has more details.

For urgent dental problems, call us: A-52, Meera Bagh, New Delhi 110087 (+91 75339 51611) or MedHarbour Hospital, 1st Floor, Room 222, Sector 51, Gurugram 122003 (+91 98106 64561). Open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm; message us and we will find the earliest appointment we can. This article is first-aid information, not medical advice for your specific case.