Dental Emergencies: What to Do in the First Thirty Minutes

Most dental problems can wait a few days. A handful cannot, and in one case — a tooth knocked completely out — what you do in the first thirty minutes matters more than anything a dentist does afterwards.

A tooth knocked out

This is the true dental emergency. A permanent tooth replanted within 30 minutes has a good chance of surviving; after two hours, that chance is small.

• Pick it up by the crown — the white part you normally see. Never touch the root.
• Do not scrub it. The delicate cells on the root surface are what allow it to reattach. Scrubbing destroys them.
• If dirty, rinse for ten seconds in milk or the patient's own saliva. Not tap water, and not for long.
• Put it back in the socket if you can, and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it.
• If you cannot, store it in cold milk — or in the patient's cheek pouch if they are old enough not to swallow it. Never in water.
• Go straight to a dentist.

A knocked-out baby tooth is not replanted — doing so risks damaging the permanent tooth developing above it. Still get it checked.

Facial swelling

Swelling means infection has left the tooth and entered surrounding tissue. Treat it as urgent rather than uncomfortable. Swelling that is spreading, that closes the eye, that reaches under the jaw or into the neck, or that comes with fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing, needs a hospital immediately — infection in the floor of the mouth can obstruct the airway. Do not apply heat to a swollen face.

A broken or chipped tooth

Save any fragments in milk; they can sometimes be bonded back. Rinse with warm water, use a cold compress for swelling, and cover a sharp edge with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum until you are seen. If the broken surface shows a pink or red spot, the pulp is exposed — that is urgent.

Bleeding that will not stop

After an extraction, bite firmly on clean gauze for 20 minutes without checking. Repeat once. If it still bleeds heavily after 45 minutes, or you are on blood-thinning medication, call. Avoid rinsing, spitting and straws for 24 hours — the clot is what stops the bleeding.

What is not an emergency

A lost filling or crown, food stuck between teeth, mild sensitivity, or a chipped edge with no pain can all wait for a normal appointment. Keep a lost crown safe and bring it with you.

Reaching us

We keep time for genuine emergencies during consulting hours, Sunday to Friday, 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00. Call 92868 98353 and describe what has happened — a knocked-out tooth, facial swelling or uncontrolled bleeding is seen the same day. Outside those hours, facial swelling with fever or any difficulty breathing should go straight to a hospital emergency department.

Frequently asked questions

Can a knocked-out tooth really be put back?

Yes, if it is a permanent tooth and it is handled correctly. Hold it by the crown, do not scrub the root, keep it in milk, and get to a dentist within the hour. Under 30 minutes gives the best outcome.

Why milk and not water?

Water is hypotonic — its salt balance differs from body fluid, so it makes the root surface cells burst. Milk is close enough to body fluid to keep them alive for several hours.

Is facial swelling from a tooth dangerous?

It can be. A dental infection that spreads into the floor of the mouth or the neck can compromise the airway. Swelling with fever, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing is a hospital emergency, not a dental one.

What should I do about a lost filling on a weekend?

It is rarely urgent. Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side, and use a temporary filling material from a pharmacy if the cavity is sharp. Book an appointment for the next working day.

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