Dental Emergency Advice

Dental Emergency Advice

23 December 2025

Understanding Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can happen when you least expect it – a sporting accident, a fall, or even biting down on something hard. These situations require immediate attention, and knowing what to do in those critical moments can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

At The Briars Dental Centre in Newbury, we see dental emergencies regularly and understand how frightening they can be. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you handle these situations with confidence.

The Golden Hour: Why Time Matters

When dealing with a dental emergency, especially a knocked-out tooth, time is absolutely crucial:

• 30 minutes: Ideally, re-implantation should occur within half an hour
• 60 minutes: The “golden hour” when chances of successful reattachment remain high
• Beyond 2 hours: Success rates diminish significantly, though still possible

Acting quickly and correctly during a dental emergency can significantly improve outcomes and potentially save your natural tooth.

Pick It, Lick It, Stick It: Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth

The dental trauma experts at dentaltrauma.co.uk have developed a brilliantly simple method for handling knocked-out teeth – “Pick it, Lick it, Stick it.”

1. Pick It

When a tooth gets knocked out during a dental emergency:

• Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), never touch the root
• If the tooth is dirty, do not scrub it or use soap/disinfectants
• Gently rinse it with milk or saline solution if available
• If neither is available, let the patient spit into a container and rinse the tooth in that

2. Lick It

This step helps prepare the tooth for re-implantation:

• If appropriate (and if the patient is capable), they can briefly lick the tooth to clean it
• This also wets the tooth with saliva, which contains helpful proteins that help keep root cells alive
• The natural saliva provides a better environment than allowing the tooth to dry out

3. Stick It

The final crucial step in addressing this dental emergency:

• Gently push the tooth back into its socket
• Position it at the correct angle, looking at adjacent teeth for reference
• Once in place, bite down gently on a handkerchief, clean cloth, or tea bag to hold it in position
• Seek emergency dental care immediately

This technique is incredibly effective when performed correctly during a dental emergency. However, for children with baby teeth, re-implantation is typically not recommended—instead, keep the tooth safe and seek professional care immediately.

What to Do When a Tooth Breaks

Broken teeth are another common dental emergency that requires prompt attention:

• Carefully collect all fragments of the broken tooth
• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
• Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed
• Contact your dentist immediately

Importantly, never throw away tooth fragments. Modern dental techniques can often bond broken pieces back together, restoring your natural tooth rather than requiring a completely artificial replacement.

When Crowns or Fillings Come Loose

If a crown, veneer, or filling becomes loose or falls out:

• Save the restoration – never dispose of it
• If possible, keep the crown/restoration safe (a small container with milk or saliva can help preserve it)
• For a lost crown, you can use dental cement from a pharmacy to temporarily reattach it
• Avoid sticky or hard foods until you see your dentist
• Seek professional care as soon as possible to prevent further damage

As we always advise our patients at The Briars: the rule of thumb during any dental emergency is “don’t throw anything away!” Whether it’s a natural tooth fragment or an artificial restoration, your dentist may be able to reuse it.

Recognising Dangerous Dental Infections

Dental infections can quickly escalate from a minor issue to a serious medical emergency:

Warning Signs That Require Immediate Attention:

• Facial swelling, especially if it affects your eye or extends down your neck
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fever alongside dental pain
• Pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter medications
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop after applying pressure for 15 minutes

Untreated dental infections can lead to serious complications, including sepsis – a life-threatening condition. According to the NHS, sepsis requires immediate medical attention and can be triggered by infections, including those originating from dental issues.

The Briars Emergency Dental Care

At The Briars Dental Centre in Newbury, we understand that dental emergencies don’t conveniently occur during regular hours:

• We offer emergency appointments every day of the week
• Our patients have access to an emergency advice line during weekends
• Our team of specialists is equipped to handle all types of dental emergencies
• We prioritise emergency cases to provide care as quickly as possible

Remember, quick action during a dental emergency can make all the difference in saving your natural teeth and preventing more serious complications.

Emergency Dental Kit

Consider preparing an emergency dental kit for your home and when travelling:

• Small container with lid (for storing a dislodged tooth/restoration)
• Saline solution or milk (for rinsing a knocked-out tooth)
• Clean handkerchief or gauze (to control bleeding)
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Our emergency contact number: 01635 40311

When to Go to A&E Instead of the Dentist

While most dental emergencies can be handled by your dentist, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention at A&E:

• Severe facial trauma beyond just dental injury
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Significant swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
• Signs of infection spreading (high fever, extreme fatigue, confusion)

Dental emergencies require quick thinking and proper action. By following the “pick it, lick it, stick it” approach for dislodged teeth and knowing how to handle other common dental emergencies, you can significantly improve outcomes while waiting for professional care.

Remember that at The Briars Dental Centre, your smile means everything to us. Our friendly and professional team is ready to help you achieve your dental goals – even in emergency situations. We’re committed to providing transformative dental care with innovative solutions and patient-centred approaches.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t delay – contact us immediately for expert care that can save your smile.

Have you ever experienced a dental emergency? What happened and how did you handle it? Share your experience in the comments below or contact us for more information about emergency dental care.