Tips

Dental emergency: broken or knocked-out tooth

Woman with toothache holding an ice pack to her cheek

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.

What to keep at home for emergencies

Sterile gauze and a small container with a lid.
A painkiller you normally take, as advised by your doctor.
Ice or a cold pack for swelling.
The clinic’s phone number saved in your phone.

Mistakes to avoid

Don’t touch or scrub the root of a knocked-out tooth.
Don’t keep the tooth in a dry tissue or in tap water: milk or saliva is better.
Don’t put aspirin or other tablets directly on the gum: they can burn it.
Don’t wait for the pain to go away on its own if there is swelling or fever.

Reception of Roma Dental Clinic in Durrës

How to prevent dental injuries

Wear a mouthguard for contact sports such as football, basketball or martial arts. Don’t open bottles or packets with your teeth, and avoid biting hard objects like pens, ice or fruit stones. For small children, make the home safer around stairs and sharp corners.