Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Stay calm, assess the situation and apply simple first aid, then seek care.
Toothache
Rinse with warm salty water, gently floss to remove any trapped food and take pain relief as directed. Book an appointment to find and treat the cause. See toothache relief.
Chipped or broken tooth
Rinse your mouth, keep any pieces and note any bleeding or pain. Book an emergency appointment.
Knocked-out adult tooth
This is time-critical. Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk. If you can, put it back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth; otherwise store it in milk. Seek care immediately. Do not reinsert a baby tooth.
Lip, cheek or tongue injury
Rinse gently, apply pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding and use a cold compress. Seek care if bleeding does not stop or the wound is large.
Facial injury
For facial fractures, jaw injuries or difficulty breathing, go to a hospital emergency department or call 000.
Related articles
- Toothache Relief: What to Do Until You See a Dentist
- Emergency Dental Services: Why It Helps to Plan Ahead
- Emergency Dental Care: Do’s and Don’ts
This article is general information only and does not replace advice from your own dentist. Whether a treatment is suitable for you can only be decided after an examination. All dental treatment carries risks, and results vary from person to person.