Dental Emergency Guide

What To Do

1. 1.Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part) — never touch the root
2. 2.Rinse gently with milk or saline solution. Do NOT scrub or use soap
3. 3.Try to place it back in the socket. Bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it
4. 4.If reinsertion is not possible, store in cold milk or between cheek and gum
5. 5.Visit us immediately — the sooner, the better the chance of saving the tooth

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT wrap in tissue paper
• ✗ Do NOT let it dry out
• ✗ Do NOT handle by the root

What To Do

1. 1.Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz water)
2. 2.Gently floss around the affected tooth to dislodge any trapped food
3. 3.Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek — 20 minutes on, 20 off
4. 4.Take over-the-counter pain relief (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) as directed
5. 5.Contact us for the earliest available appointment

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT place aspirin directly on the gum — it causes burns
• ✗ Do NOT use excessive clove oil — it can damage gum tissue
• ✗ Do NOT ignore persistent pain — it often signals infection

What To Do

1. 1.Rinse your mouth with warm water immediately
2. 2.If bleeding, apply gauze with gentle pressure for 10 minutes
3. 3.Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain
4. 4.Save any broken pieces — store them in milk
5. 5.Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT bite on hard foods
• ✗ Do NOT ignore even small chips — they can worsen
• ✗ Do NOT try to smooth sharp edges yourself

What To Do

1. 1.Stabilise the jaw — use a cloth or tie wrapped under the chin and over the head
2. 2.Apply cold compresses to control swelling
3. 3.Do NOT attempt to realign the jaw yourself
4. 4.If breathing is difficult, lean forward and let saliva drip out
5. 5.Call 108 (ambulance) or go to the nearest emergency room immediately

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT force the mouth open or closed
• ✗ Do NOT eat or drink anything
• ✗ Do NOT delay medical attention

What To Do

1. 1.Rinse with warm salt water several times to draw the infection toward the surface
2. 2.Do NOT attempt to pop or drain the abscess
3. 3.Take prescribed pain medication
4. 4.Apply a cold compress to the cheek for pain relief
5. 5.Call us immediately — abscesses require professional treatment and antibiotics

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT ignore swelling — it can spread to the throat and become life-threatening
• ✗ Do NOT use hot compresses on the face
• ✗ Do NOT self-medicate with antibiotics

What To Do

1. 1.Gently try to remove with dental floss — guide it carefully between the teeth
2. 2.Do NOT use sharp objects like pins, needles, or toothpicks
3. 3.Rinse with warm water to loosen the object
4. 4.If you cannot remove it, visit us — we have the proper tools

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT force pointed instruments between teeth
• ✗ Do NOT ignore it — trapped food leads to decay

What To Do

1. 1.Bite firmly on a folded gauze pad placed over the extraction site for 30–45 minutes
2. 2.Replace the gauze if it becomes soaked — use a damp (not dry) gauze
3. 3.Sit upright, do NOT lie flat — gravity helps reduce bleeding
4. 4.Apply a cold compress on the cheek near the extraction site
5. 5.Avoid spitting, using straws, or rinsing vigorously for 24 hours
6. 6.If bleeding persists beyond 4 hours, contact us immediately

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT spit or use a straw — it dislodges the blood clot
• ✗ Do NOT smoke for at least 48 hours
• ✗ Do NOT eat hot food for 24 hours

What To Do

1. 1.If you find the crown, clean it gently and try to temporarily place it back using denture adhesive or toothpaste
2. 2.Apply clove oil to the exposed tooth with a cotton swab for pain relief
3. 3.Avoid chewing on the affected side
4. 4.Keep the area clean by rinsing with warm salt water
5. 5.Contact us to schedule a re-cementation or replacement

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT use super glue or household adhesives
• ✗ Do NOT eat sticky or hard foods on that side
• ✗ Do NOT ignore it — exposed tooth is vulnerable to decay

What To Do

1. 1.Rinse gently with mild salt water
2. 2.Apply firm pressure with clean gauze or cloth to control bleeding
3. 3.Use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth or cheek
4. 4.If a deep laceration, apply continuous pressure and head to the ER
5. 5.For tongue bites, pull the tongue forward gently and apply pressure

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT apply aspirin directly to the wound
• ✗ Do NOT use very hot or cold water to rinse
• ✗ Do NOT ignore deep cuts — they may need stitches

What To Do

1. 1.Recognise symptoms: severe throbbing pain 2–4 days after extraction, bad taste/smell, visible bone in socket
2. 2.Rinse gently with warm salt water — do NOT use force
3. 3.Take prescribed pain medication (Ibuprofen preferred)
4. 4.Apply clove oil on a small cotton ball placed gently over the socket
5. 5.Contact us immediately for a medicated dressing — this is the definitive treatment

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT smoke or use tobacco products
• ✗ Do NOT rinse vigorously
• ✗ Do NOT attempt to pack the socket yourself

What To Do

1. 1.If a wire is poking the cheek, use the eraser end of a pencil to gently push it flat against the tooth
2. 2.Apply orthodontic wax over the sharp end for temporary relief
3. 3.If a bracket is loose but still on the wire, leave it and cover with wax
4. 4.Rinse with warm salt water if there is irritation or a small sore
5. 5.Contact your orthodontist for the next available appointment

What NOT To Do

• ✗ Do NOT cut the wire yourself — you could swallow a piece
• ✗ Do NOT try to remove a bracket
• ✗ Do NOT ignore persistent discomfort

1. 1.Ask "Are you choking?" — if they nod or cannot speak, act immediately
2. 2.Stand behind the person, wrap your arms around their waist
3. 3.Make a fist with one hand and place it above the navel
4. 4.Grasp the fist with the other hand and perform quick upward thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre)
5. 5.Repeat until the object is expelled or the person becomes unconscious
6. 6.If unconscious, begin CPR and call 108

1. 1.Apply direct, firm pressure with a clean cloth or bandage
2. 2.Do NOT remove the cloth — add more layers on top if blood soaks through
3. 3.Elevate the injured area above the heart if possible
4. 4.Call 108 for severe, uncontrollable bleeding
5. 5.If tourniquet is necessary (limb, life-threatening), apply 5–7 cm above the wound, note the time applied

1. 1.Help the person lie down on their back
2. 2.Elevate the legs about 30 cm (1 foot) to improve blood flow to the brain
3. 3.Loosen any tight clothing around the neck and waist
4. 4.If they do NOT regain consciousness within 1 minute, call 108
5. 5.Once awake, do NOT let them stand up too quickly

1. 1.Recognise symptoms: swelling of face/throat, difficulty breathing, rash, rapid pulse
2. 2.Call 108 IMMEDIATELY — this is a life-threatening emergency
3. 3.If the person has an EpiPen, help them use it (inject into outer thigh)
4. 4.Help the person lie down with legs elevated (unless breathing is difficult — then sit them up)
5. 5.Monitor breathing and be prepared to begin CPR if they stop breathing

1. 1.Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes
2. 2.Do NOT apply ice, butter, toothpaste, or any home remedies
3. 3.Remove jewellery/clothing near the burn (unless stuck to the skin)
4. 4.Cover loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing or cling film
5. 5.For severe burns (larger than the palm, on face/joints, or deep), call 108

1. 1.Clear the area around the person — remove sharp/hard objects
2. 2.Do NOT restrain the person or put anything in their mouth
3. 3.Place something soft under their head
4. 4.Time the seizure — if it lasts more than 5 minutes, call 108
5. 5.Once the seizure stops, gently roll them onto their side (recovery position)
6. 6.Stay with them until they are fully alert