For a knocked-out permanent tooth, handle it by the crown only, rinse it gently in milk or saline without scrubbing, and either reinsert it into the socket or store it in milk — then reach a dentist within 30–60 minutes. For facial swelling with fever or difficulty swallowing, seek care immediately, as spreading dental infection is genuinely dangerous. Call Vinayak Multispeciality Dental Clinic on +91 91735 17434 during clinic hours and we will fit you in the same day wherever possible.
Knocked-out permanent tooth
This is the one true time-critical dental emergency. The ligament cells on the root surface begin dying within about fifteen minutes of the tooth being dry, and once they are gone the tooth cannot reattach properly.
- Pick it up by the crownThe white chewing part only. Never touch the root — you will destroy the very cells that allow it to reattach.
- Do not scrub itIf it is dirty, rinse briefly in milk or saline. Never use soap, disinfectant or a brush, and never let it dry out.
- Put it back if you canPush it gently into the socket the right way round and hold it there by biting on a clean cloth. This is by far the best transport medium.
- Otherwise store it in milkPlain milk is ideal. Saline is acceptable. Water is a poor choice — it damages the root cells — and is only better than letting it dry.
- Reach a dentist within the hourCall ahead so the clinic is ready for you when you walk in.
Facial swelling — the emergency people underestimate
A dental abscess that has spread into the surrounding tissues is the one dental problem that can become life-threatening. Treat any of the following as urgent and do not wait for the next working day:
- Swelling spreading toward the eye, or closing it.
- Swelling under the jaw or in the floor of the mouth.
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or opening the mouth.
- Fever alongside facial swelling.
Painkillers and leftover antibiotics will suppress the symptoms while the infection continues to spread. The infection needs draining at its source; antibiotics alone do not resolve a dental abscess.
Severe toothache
Take the painkiller you would normally use for a headache, at the correct dose. Keep your head elevated, including when sleeping — lying flat increases blood pressure at the tooth and is why dental pain is famously worse at night. Cold compress outside the cheek.
Do not place aspirin directly against the gum. It is an acid and will burn the tissue without helping the tooth. Avoid extremes of hot and cold, and chew on the other side.
Broken or chipped tooth
- Save any fragment in milk — a clean break can sometimes be bonded back.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free chewing gum or orthodontic wax if it is cutting your tongue.
- See a dentist promptly even if it does not hurt. Exposed dentine decays quickly, and a fracture reaching the pulp needs treating before it becomes infected.
Questions we get asked
Can I take leftover antibiotics for a toothache?
No. Antibiotics do not treat the cause of most dental pain, and taking a partial or inappropriate course drives resistance while masking a problem that still needs treatment. See a dentist.
How long can a knocked-out tooth survive outside the mouth?
The realistic window for a good outcome is 30–60 minutes, and it is much better if the tooth was stored in milk or replanted immediately. After a few dry hours, successful reattachment becomes unlikely.
What counts as urgent enough to interrupt clinic hours?
Facial swelling with fever or difficulty swallowing, a knocked-out permanent tooth, uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction, or trauma to the jaw. Call and say what has happened — we will tell you whether it can wait.