A broken or knocked-out tooth is stressful, but acting quickly and correctly can often save it. Here is what to do in the first minutes and hours.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), never by the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline. Do not scrub it.
- If you can, put it back in its socket and bite gently on a clean cloth.
- If that is not possible, keep it in cold milk or in saline. Do not keep it dry or in water.
- Go to the dentist as soon as possible: the best chances are within the first hour.
Baby teeth are not put back in, but the child should still be checked.
If a tooth breaks or chips
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
- Keep any broken pieces in milk and bring them with you.
- Use a cold compress on the cheek if there is swelling.
- Call the dentist the same day, especially if the tooth hurts or you can see a pink or red point (the nerve).
Severe toothache or swelling
Pain that wakes you up, swelling of the face or gums, or fever can be signs of an infection. Do not put aspirin on the gum and do not wait: book an urgent visit.
A lost crown or filling
Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side and call us. Do not glue it back with household glue.
At Roma Dental Clinic
For urgent cases we do our best to see you on the same day. Call or message us on WhatsApp: you can find all the details on our contact page.