What should you do if you have a dental emergency?

Immediately clean the affected tooth and the surrounding area.
Rise your mouth carefully with warm water and/or floss around the area to dislodge any stuck food.
Do NOT take aspirin or apply heat to the gum or tooth in question.
If your face is swollen, apply a cold compress to the area and call the dentist as soon as possible.

Apply ice to affected areas to reduce swelling.
If there is bleeding, apply firm, yet gentle pressure with gauze or a soft cloth.
If the bleeding is not controlled by simple pressure, call your doctor or visit the nearest emergency room.

Find the tooth, if possible. Handle it only by the crown (not the root).
The tooth should be rinsed with water only. Do not use soap.
Avoid unnecessary scrubbing or handling of the tooth.
Inspect the tooth for fractures. If the tooth is intact, attempt to reinsert it in its socket. Hold the tooth in place using gauze.
If the tooth cannot be reinserted, store the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s own saliva. You can also use milk.
Patients who are old enough may also carry the tooth in their mouth, sitting alongside the cheek.
Time is crucial in saving a tooth; ideally treatment would be done within two hours.
Make sure to see the dentist IMMEDIATELY!

Contact your dentist immediately. Acting quickly can prevent infection and help save the tooth.
Rinse your mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
If possible, locate any fragments of tooth and bring them to the dentist.

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