Dental Emergency? What to Do Before You Get to the Dentist

Knocked-out tooth

Time matters. Pick the tooth up by the crown, rinse without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can’t, store it in milk and get to us within an hour.

Severe toothache

Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove trapped food. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Never put aspirin directly on the gums.

Broken tooth or lost crown

Save any pieces, rinse, and use a cold compress for swelling. A lost crown can be temporarily held with dental cement from a pharmacy — but don’t use glue.

Frequently asked questions