Emergency Dental Care and What to Do When Accidents Happen

Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly. Knowing what to do in the moment can prevent further damage, ease pain, and even save a tooth.

In this blog, we’ll cover the most common dental emergencies, what to do when they happen, and how products like DenTek® dental repair kits can help while you wait to see a dentist.

What Is a Dental Emergency¹?

A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate attention. Not all dental problems are emergencies.

Common dental emergencies include:

• Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth
• Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
• Lost filling or crown
• Severe toothache or abscess
• Injury to the soft tissues (lips, gums, cheeks, tongue)
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop

If left untreated, dental emergencies can lead to infection, permanent damage, or more complex procedures down the line.

 

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

🦷 1. Knocked-Out Tooth²

• Hold the tooth by the crown (not the root).
• If dirty, gently rinse with milk or saline, do not scrub.
• Try to place it back into the socket and hold it in place.
• If that’s not possible, store it in milk, or saliva, or inside your cheek (to keep it moist).
• See a dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth³.

 

🦷 2. Cracked or Broken Tooth⁴

• If a piece of tooth has broken off, put it in milk or saliva (your own if it’s your tooth)
• Take the broken tooth to the dentist as soon as possible
• Avoid eating on the damaged side.

 

🦷 3. Lost Filling

If you lose a filling, the exposed tooth can be very sensitive and at risk of further damage. Temporary solutions like DenTek® Temparin Max Repair Kit can help to temporarily replace the filling while you wait to see a dentist within 48 hours.

 

🦷 4. Toothache or Swelling⁵

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
• Apply a cold compress to ease swelling.
• Persistent pain or swelling may be a sign of an infection and needs urgent care.

 

Temporary Relief at Home: DenTek® Repair Solutions

DenTek® Temparin Max Repair Kit is a temporary, at-home solution for replacing a lost filling or securing loose crowns, caps or inlays:

• Replacing a lost filling temporarily
• Re-attaching a loose crown or cap

These repair kits can provide peace of mind when you can’t see a dentist right away. However, they are not permanent solutions—you should still seek professional dental advice within 48 hours.

 

When to Visit A&E or Call 111 (UK)

While most dental emergencies are best handled by a dentist, you should seek urgent medical care (A&E or 111) if:

• You have severe swelling that is affecting breathing or swallowing
• Uncontrolled bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Trauma to the face or jaw
• Signs of infection with fever and facial swelling

 

Final Thoughts

Dental accidents can be stressful, but knowing what to do in the moment makes all the difference. With a calm approach and the right tools, like DenTek® repair kits, you can temporarily repair damage until you get professional treatment.

Keeping a dental repair kit at home or while travelling is a smart way to stay prepared.

 

References

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11368–dental-emergencies-what-to-do
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knocked-out-tooth/
3. https://www.dentalhealth.org/knocked-out-teeth
4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chipped-broken-or-cracked-tooth/
5. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/toothache/