Dental Emergency? Here's Exactly What to Do in the First 10 Minutes

Dental emergencies always seem to happen at the worst possible time — but staying calm and knowing the basics can genuinely change the outcome, especially for a knocked-out tooth where every minute counts.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out completely, pick it up by the crown (never the root), rinse it gently if dirty without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket if you can. If that's not possible, keep it in milk or a specialist tooth-preservation solution and get to us within the hour.

For a cracked or chipped tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, apply a cold compress to any swelling, and save any broken piece if you find it. Avoid chewing on that side until you've been seen. Soft foods and avoiding extreme temperatures help until your appointment.

Severe toothache, especially with facial swelling or fever, can be a sign of infection and shouldn't wait — over-the-counter pain relief can help in the short term, but this needs prompt professional assessment rather than a wait-and-see approach. Never place aspirin directly on the gum; it can burn the tissue.

Whatever the emergency, call us straight away rather than searching for advice online — we offer same-day emergency appointments where possible and can talk you through first-aid steps over the phone while you're on your way in.