EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE

(A Step-by-Step Guide to Handling Dental Emergencies)

Dental emergencies can happen when you
 least expect it.
 Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a broken
 tooth, or a more 
severe issue, it’s
 important to know how to respond. Prompt action can
 make a huge 
difference in reducing pain, preventing further 
damage, and 
improving the outcome. 
Below is a step-by-step guide on the different types 
of dental
 emergencies and how to handle them.





SEVERE TOOTH PAIN
Severe tooth pain is one of the most
 common 
reasons people seek
 emergency dental care. This could be due
 to a variety of
 reasons, such as tooth 
decay, an abscess, or even a cracked tooth.

STEPS TO TAKE
Rinse your mouth with warm water to
 clean the area.

Use dental floss to remove any food particles that 
may be stuck between your teeth.


Take over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate 
discomfort, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the
 affected tooth or gums.

Apply a cold compress on the outside 
of your 
cheek to reduce swelling.

Schedule an emergency dental appointment 
as soon as possible.







CHIPPED OR BROKEN TOOTH

Accidents happen, and a chipped or broken tooth 
is something many
 people experience. The tooth may crack, chip, or even 
break completely, leading
 to pain and potential infection.

STEPS TO TAKE 

Save any pieces of the broken 
tooth and rinse
 them with warm water.

Apply a cold compress on the
 cheek near the 
affected tooth to reduce
 swelling.

If the tooth has sharp edges, cover 
it with dental wax or a 
piece of sugarless gum to prevent 
cutting
 your tongue or cheek.

Visit the dentist immediately. 
They can either
 reattach the broken 
pieces or offer a solution like bonding 
or a crown to 
restore the tooth.





KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH
A knocked-out tooth (avulsed tooth) is a
 true dental
 emergency 
that requires quick action to increase the
 chances of 
saving the tooth.

STEPS TO TAKE

Find the tooth and handle it by the crown
 (the top part, not the root).

If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with
 water, but avoid 
scrubbing or using soap.

Try to place the tooth back into the 
socket gently. If that’s
 not possible, store the tooth in a container of 
milk or
 saline solution. 
If none are available, keep the tooth in your
 mouth between 
your cheek and gums.

Get to the dentist within 30 minutes to an
 hour for the best 
chance of saving the tooth.






LOST FILLING OR CROWN
A lost filling or crown can leave your 
tooth vulnerable 
to pain, food particles, and bacteria.

STEPS TO TAKE

If the filling or crown has fallen out, you can
 temporarily use dental
 cement (available at most drugstores) to 
seal the hole.
 Don’t try to glue
 it back with household glue.

Keep the area clean by rinsing with warm 
salt water.

Call your dentist as soon as possible to 
schedule an
 appointment for a permanent solution.






ABSCESSED TOOTH
An abscess is a painful infection that can occur at the
 root of the 
tooth or in the gums. If left untreated, an abscess can
 lead to more 
serious infections and even affect other parts of the body.

STEPS TO TAKE

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to 
help relieve
 pain and draw out the infection.

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage 
pain, but you
 should see a dentist as soon as possible. Antibiotics
 may be
 required to treat the infection.





OBJECT STUCK BETWEEN TEETH

It’s common for food particles or small objects to 

get stuck between 

your teeth, causing discomfort.

STEPS TO TAKE

Gently try to remove the object using dental floss. Be careful 
not to push it further down.

If the object won’t come out, don’t use sharp objects like 
pins or needles. Instead, contact your dentist.

Your dentist can safely remove the object without causing
 injury to your gums or teeth.




SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Soft tissue injuries, such as cuts to the
 gums, cheeks, or lips, 

can happen from accidents or trauma.

STEPS TO TAKE

Apply gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth 
to stop any bleeding.

If the injury is severe or the bleeding doesn’t stop after 
10-15 minutes, seek immediate dental or medical attention.

Rinse the injured area with warm salt water
 to prevent infection.

Your dentist may use stitches to close the wound 
and ensure it heals properly.




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CONCLUSION
Dental emergencies can be
 alarming, but knowing 
what to do in the moment

 can help reduce the risk of permanent damage.

 Whether it’s a

 toothache, broken tooth, or a more serious

 injury, it’s important to

 stay calm and seek professional dental care as 

soon as possible. 

Keep in mind that your dentist is your best resource 

when it comes to

 urgent dental problems.

Remember to always have the contact 
information 
for an emergency
 dentist handy. The sooner you act, the
 better the 
outcome for
 your dental health!