- A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if you act fast. Hold it by the crown, not the root, try to put it back in, and get to a dentist as soon as possible.
- Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in.
- A dental abscess (a build-up of pus from an infection) will not go away on its own and needs urgent dental treatment.
- Swelling that affects your breathing, swallowing, speaking or eye needs emergency hospital care, not a dentist.
- A GP cannot give dental treatment. For an urgent problem, contact a dentist first.
Some dental problems cannot wait. This guide covers the common ones, the first aid health services recommend, and where to go for help in the UK, Australia and the US.
UK: the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have a dental abscess or toothache and:
- you are finding it hard to breathe, speak or swallow
- you have a swollen or painful eye, the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or you suddenly have problems with your eyesight
- you have a lot of swelling in your mouth, or are finding it hard to open your mouth
Do not drive yourself to A&E: ask someone to drive you, or call 999 for an ambulance.
Australia: healthdirect says to call triple zero (000) or go straight to the emergency department after a mouth injury if you are having trouble breathing, talking or swallowing, there is a lot of blood going down your throat, or your mouth or tongue is very swollen.
Knocked-out adult tooth: ask for an emergency dental appointment straight away (see below).
A knocked-out adult tooth
Speed matters. healthdirect Australia and the Australian Dental Association both say it is best to see a dentist within 30 minutes. healthdirect adds that it may still be possible to save the tooth up to 2 hours after the injury. The NHS says to ask for an emergency dentist appointment if you have knocked out a tooth, even if you cannot find it.
The NHS first-aid steps
The NHS gives these steps:
- Hold the tooth by the white bit that sticks out of the gum (the crown). Do not touch the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or saliva.
- Try to put it back into the hole in the gum.
- Bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place if it goes back in easily.
- Go to a dentist as soon as possible.
If you cannot put the tooth back in, the NHS says you can put it in either milk or saliva. If you are using saliva, spit into a container (or have your child spit into one).
How Australian and US advice differs
The core steps are the same everywhere, with some differences in detail:
- Rinsing a dirty tooth. The Australian Dental Association says gently rinse it in milk or saline and do not scrub it. healthdirect says quickly rinse it in warm water, without scrubbing or soaking it. The NHS says milk, saline or saliva. These sources do not agree on whether water is acceptable for a quick rinse.
- Putting it back. The Australian Dental Association adds: make sure the tooth is facing the correct way.
- Carrying the tooth. The Australian Dental Association says you can carry it in a container covered in milk or the person's own saliva, or in the mouth between the teeth and cheek, being careful not to swallow it. It says do not put the tooth in water or wrap it up dry in a tissue or cloth. The American Dental Association (ADA) says to keep the tooth moist at all times, and to place it between your cheek and gums or in milk if it cannot go back in the socket.
- Where to go. healthdirect says to call a dentist urgently or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What the dentist will do
The NHS says the dentist may take an X-ray to check the root, and will usually fix the tooth to the teeth either side (splinting). You will probably need to go back after a couple of weeks for further treatment, such as root canal treatment, and to have the splint removed.
If it is a baby tooth
Do not put a baby tooth back in. The NHS says it could damage the adult tooth growing underneath. healthdirect advises rinsing the child's mouth with salt water, applying an ice pack if their mouth is swollen, and going to your dentist. If you are not sure whether the tooth is a baby or adult tooth, the Australian Dental Association says to pick it up by the crown, put it in milk or your child's saliva, and take it to the dentist as soon as possible.
A chipped, broken or cracked tooth
The NHS says chipping, breaking or cracking a tooth is usually not serious, and a dentist should be able to treat it. See a dentist, and do not go to a GP, who will not be able to give dental treatment.
If a piece has broken off, the NHS says to put it in milk or saliva and take it to the dentist, who may be able to glue it back on (healthdirect says milk or sterile saline). For a cracked tooth, the ADA suggests rinsing your mouth with warm water and using a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling.
For bleeding after an injury, healthdirect advises pressing on the area with a clean towel or dressing, and says heavy bleeding in the mouth needs urgent medical care because the airway could become blocked.
Severe toothache
The NHS says to see a dentist if you have toothache:
- that lasts more than 2 days
- that does not go away when you take painkillers
- with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, or a bad taste in your mouth
- and your cheek or jaw is swollen
While you wait, the NHS suggests ibuprofen or paracetamol, soft foods, and avoiding sweet, very hot or very cold food. You can try rinsing with salt water: half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water, rinsed and spat out. Children should not try this in case they swallow it. The ADA says not to put aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gums, as it may burn the gum tissue.
Guidance on aspirin for children differs between countries: the NHS says children under 16 should not take aspirin, while healthdirect says not to give aspirin to children under 12 unless a doctor advises it. Follow the advice where you live, or ask a pharmacist.
Dental abscess and facial swelling
A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. The NHS says it needs urgent treatment by a dentist and will not go away on its own. Symptoms it lists include intense toothache or gum pain, redness in the mouth or on the face, a bad taste, difficulty opening your mouth, a swollen face or jaw, swollen glands in your neck, and a high temperature.
healthdirect warns that an untreated abscess can spread beyond the tooth and jaw, and can lead to serious complications, including swelling that blocks the airway and sepsis (an infection that spreads through the whole body). The NHS says a dentist will usually drain the pus, and you may need root canal treatment or to have the tooth removed.
Where to get help
UK
The NHS advises calling your dentist first. If they are closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do. If you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111 or use 111 online, or find a dentist near you and ask for an emergency appointment. You may have to pay. Call 999 or go to A&E for the warning signs in the box above.
Australia
healthdirect says to call a dentist urgently. For advice at any time, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). healthdirect also lists the Australian Dental Foundation's Emergency Dental Hotline, 0407 111 117, for after-hours dental problems.
US
The ADA says most dentists reserve time each day for emergency patients, so call your dentist first. If the office is closed, it advises going to your local emergency room.
- You have chipped, cracked or broken a tooth, or a tooth feels loose after an injury.
- You have toothache that lasts more than 2 days or does not settle with painkillers.
- You think you may have a dental abscess: ask for an urgent appointment.
- After an injury, you develop a fever, pus, a bad taste or swollen glands in your neck: healthdirect says to contact your dentist or doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. The NHS says putting a baby tooth back in could damage the adult tooth growing underneath. Take your child to a dentist.
Should I store a knocked-out tooth in water?
No. Milk or saliva are the storage options given by the NHS and healthdirect, and the Australian Dental Association says not to put the tooth in water or wrap it dry.
Will antibiotics clear up a dental abscess?
Not on their own. healthdirect says antibiotics alone are not enough. The source of the infection needs treating by a dentist, usually by draining the pus and treating or removing the tooth.
Sources
- Knocked-out tooth, NHS, accessed September 2026
- Chipped, broken or cracked tooth, NHS, accessed September 2026
- Toothache, NHS, accessed September 2026
- Dental abscess, NHS, accessed September 2026
- Dental injury, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
- Tooth abscess, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
- Dental trauma, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
- Dental emergencies, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.