Dental trauma — what to do right now
If you or someone with you has damaged or lost teeth in an accident, the next few minutes matter.
Go to A&E or Call 999 If...
• You have severe facial swelling • You have difficulty breathing or swallowing • You have uncontrolled bleeding • You have lost consciousness
Knocked-Out Tooth
Act within 30–60 minutes — a tooth can often be saved
01
Find and handle carefully
Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part). Do not touch the root.
02
Rinse gently if dirty
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it very gently with milk or the patient's own saliva. Do not scrub it. Do not use water.
03
Reinsert or store safely
If possible, place the tooth back into the socket and hold it gently in place. If that is not possible, store it in milk or keep it between the patient's cheek and gum — it must not dry out.
04
Call us immediately
A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of survival within 30 minutes, and can sometimes be saved up to an hour after the injury.
05
If out of hours
If you cannot reach us and it is outside hours, go to your nearest A&E dental department. Note: this guidance applies to permanent adult teeth only. Do not attempt to reimplant baby teeth — call us for advice.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
01
Rinse your mouth
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
02
Control any bleeding
If there is bleeding from the gum or lip, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
03
Keep any fragments
If you have a fragment of tooth, keep it — bring it to the appointment.
04
Avoid temperature extremes
Avoid hot and cold food or drink, which may cause pain.
05
Call us for same-day appointment
Call us to book a same-day appointment — even if pain is manageable, broken teeth need prompt assessment.
Crown, Bridge or Veneer Dislodged
01
Keep the restoration
Keep the crown or restoration — bring it with you.
02
Do not use household glue
Do not try to recement it yourself with household glue.
03
Temporary relief
If the exposed tooth is sensitive, dental wax from a pharmacy can provide temporary relief.
04
Call us
Call us — we will usually see you the same day for a lost crown.
Soft Tissue Injury
Lip, tongue, or cheek injury
01
Apply pressure
Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth for 10–15 minutes.
02
If bleeding continues
If bleeding does not slow after 20 minutes of firm pressure, go to A&E.
03
Reduce swelling
Ice wrapped in a cloth can help reduce swelling.
04
Check teeth too
If teeth are also affected, follow the relevant guidance above.
After the Emergency — Planning What Comes Next
Dental Trauma Reconstruction
Planning longer-term repair after an injury — implants, crowns, bridges and full reconstruction.
Trauma Assessment Tool
Not sure what you need? Answer a few questions to understand your options.
In Pain Right Now?
We do everything we can to see dental trauma patients the same day. The sooner you call, the more options we have.