Dental emergencies: the first ten minutes matter most

Pick it up by the crown, never the root. If it is dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saline — not tap water, and never scrub it. If you can, place it gently back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in milk and get to us immediately. The window here is measured in minutes, not hours.

A knocked-out baby tooth should not be replanted, as it can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Call us for advice.

Save any fragments. Rinse with warm salt water, cover sharp edges with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum if the tongue is being cut, and avoid chewing on that side. A crown that came off cleanly can often be re-cemented — bring it with you.

Cold compresses on the outside of the face help swelling; heat does not. Take your usual over-the-counter pain relief unless advised otherwise. Never place aspirin directly against the gum — it burns the tissue.

Swelling that spreads towards the eye or affects breathing or swallowing is a medical emergency. Go to an emergency department rather than waiting for a dental appointment.