Teeth don’t always behave themselves — and knowing a few clear steps can make the difference between saving a tooth and a trip to extraction.
At Parkview Dental Practice in Leicester, we see common emergencies and recommend this practical, evidence‑based approach:
– Knocked‑out adult tooth (avulsion): pick it up by the crown only, rinse briefly with milk or saline (don’t scrub), keep it moist in milk, saline or the person’s mouth (between cheek and gum) if they’re conscious, and get to a dental surgery within an hour if possible. Primary (baby) teeth should not be replanted.
– Severe bleeding after trauma or extraction: sit upright, bite firmly on clean gauze or a damp tea towel for 20–30 minutes without peeking. If bleeding continues after an hour, seek urgent care.
– Broken or chipped tooth: save any fragments in milk, rinse the mouth with warm water, apply a cold pack to reduce swelling, and avoid chewing on that side. Smaller chips may be smoothed or bonded; larger breaks may need urgent restoration.
– Sudden, severe toothache: rinse with warm salt water, take paracetamol or ibuprofen as advised on the label (check suitability for children or medical conditions), and don’t place aspirin against the gum. Ongoing severe pain, swelling or fever may indicate an infection that needs prompt treatment.
– Lost filling or crown: avoid chewing on the side; temporary dental cement or sugar‑free chewing gum can be used carefully until you can be seen.
– Orthodontic emergencies (poking wire/bracket): cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax or a small piece of sugar‑free gum; if a wire is causing severe discomfort, it can be clipped with clean nail clippers.
– Facial swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing: this is a medical emergency—call 999 or attend A&E immediately.
If you’re local to Leicester and worried about a recent knock, swelling or sudden pain, bring any teeth or fragments in a sealed container with milk and come straight to Parkview Dental Practice so it can be assessed quickly.
Have you ever had to act fast for a dental emergency — what did you do and how did it turn out? Share your story or ask a question below.
