Tooth Injury First Aid: What to Do in the First 30 Minutes

What should you do first after a tooth injury?

Check for other injuries before treating the tooth. Dizziness, confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness can signal a head injury, which needs medical care before dental care.

Once the person is stable:

1. Rinse the mouth gently with lukewarm water.
2. Apply pressure to any bleeding with clean gauze or a damp cloth for about 10 minutes.
3. Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek or lip for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
4. Call an emergency dentist while you continue first aid.

What do you do for a knocked-out permanent tooth?

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. The tooth’s root cells begin to die once it is out of the mouth, so the goal is to get it back in its socket or into a suitable storage liquid quickly.

Steps:

1. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white chewing surface. Never touch the root.
2. Rinse it briefly with milk or saline if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub it, use soap, or remove attached tissue.
3. Try to place it back in the socket, facing the right way, and bite gently on gauze to hold it. This works for adults and older children who are alert and cooperative.
4. If you can’t reinsert it, place it in cold milk or a tooth-preservation kit.
5. Go to a dentist immediately. Ideally, be seen within 30 to 60 minutes.

How should you store a knocked-out tooth?

Storage option	How good is it?	Notes
Back in the socket	Best	Only if the person is alert and it’s a permanent tooth
Cold milk	Very good	Keeps root cells healthy for longer
Tooth-preservation kit (for example, Save-A-Tooth)	Very good	Worth keeping in a first-aid kit
Inside the cheek (adults and older kids only)	Acceptable	Saliva helps, but there’s a swallowing risk for young children
Plain water	Last resort	Can damage root cells if soaked for long
Dry tissue or paper towel	Avoid	The root dries out quickly

What if a baby tooth is knocked out?

Do not put a baby tooth back in. Reinserting it can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Control bleeding with gauze and call your dentist for advice.

What do you do for a chipped or broken tooth?

• Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any fragments, since your dentist may be able to bond them back on.
• Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheek.
• Avoid chewing on that side.
• Call your dentist the same day. Even small chips can expose the inner tooth to bacteria.

Go to an emergency dentist right away if you see pink or red tissue in the tooth, or if the tooth is very painful or sensitive to air and temperature.

What do you do for a cracked tooth?

Rinse with warm water, use a cold compress for swelling, and avoid chewing on that tooth. Cracks aren’t always visible and may cause pain only when you bite or when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold. A cracked tooth can’t heal itself, so it needs a dental exam even if the pain fades.

What do you do for a loose or displaced tooth?

Don’t force it back into position. Bite gently to keep it steady, avoid touching it, and see a dentist promptly. A loosened tooth can often be stabilized if treated quickly.

What do you do for a cut or bitten lip, tongue, or cheek?

Clean the area gently and press firmly with clean gauze. If bleeding doesn’t slow after 10 to 15 minutes of steady pressure, or the cut is deep, seek emergency care.

What should you NOT do after a tooth injury?

• Don’t hold a knocked-out tooth by the root.
• Don’t scrub the tooth or clean it with soap.
• Don’t let the tooth dry out.
• Don’t place aspirin directly on the gums, since it can burn the tissue.
• Don’t ignore a “small” chip or a crack that has stopped hurting.
• Don’t wait to see if it improves on its own.

What pain relief is safe after a dental injury?

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help when used as directed on the label and if they’re safe for you. If bleeding is a concern, ask your dentist or pharmacist which option is better. A cold compress on the cheek also helps. Pain relief is temporary and doesn’t replace a dental exam.

How can you prevent tooth injuries?

• Wear a custom or boil-and-bite mouthguard for contact sports and activities like skateboarding or cycling.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or tags.
• Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels.
• Have loose fillings and cracked teeth repaired early, since weakened teeth break more easily.