Dental Emergencies: What to Do in the First Hour

Recognize what needs urgent medical care

Some situations are beyond the scope of a dental appointment. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or significant facial trauma require emergency medical attention immediately.

For everything else, contacting the dental practice early in the day gives the best chance of being seen promptly.

A knocked-out permanent tooth

Time is the critical variable. Handle the tooth by the crown, never the root. Do not scrub it. If it is dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saline. Keep it moist in milk or the patient's own saliva and seek dental care immediately.

Do not attempt this with a child's baby tooth; reimplantation can damage the developing permanent tooth beneath.

Toothache, swelling, and lost restorations

Sensible interim measures make the wait more comfortable and safer.

• Rinse gently with warm salt water for gum irritation
• Use over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packaging
• Avoid placing aspirin directly against the gum
• Keep a lost crown safe and bring it to your appointment
• Avoid applying heat to a swollen area of the face

Relief is not the end of treatment

Emergency care controls the immediate problem. The underlying cause, whether that is decay, a fracture, infection, or a failing restoration, still needs definitive treatment. Booking that follow-up while symptoms are settled prevents a repeat episode.