Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and if it’s dirty remove particles with the patient’s saliva or a quick 5-second rinse with water. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments.

If possible, try to put the tooth back in place.

Make sure it’s facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it’s not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk, wrap in cling film or if possible ask the patient to place the tooth against their cheek in their mouth.

In all cases, see a dentist as quickly as possible. Knocked-out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.

When your child’s baby (or primary) teeth are injured, they can be aesthetically restored, but in general, we don’t recommend placing a knocked-out baby tooth. Further damage can be caused to the soft permanent tooth that is still developing underneath.

Most chipped or fractured tooth crowns can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece or by placing a tooth-colored resin filling or Ceramic restoration.

The bigger the broken-off part, the more likely it is that you’ll need a ceramic crown or ceramic restoration to replace the lost tooth structure. It’s also important to assess the root of the tooth for fractures and the surrounding bone if you’ve had a severe knock to your face or jaw, this can be done using a dental X-ray.

Sometimes you may have split or cracked a tooth but the damage isn’t evident straight away, it’s important to have and cracks or splits not visible treated as soon as possible.

If you’re finding that breathing through your mouth or eating or drinking cold food is painful, the inside of your tooth could be exposed or damaged. If this is the case, you might need root canal treatment.

If you can see blood or a pink area at the center of the tooth, you may have exposed the nerve of the tooth. Apply a small piece of gauze to the area and bite down gently. Contact us for a dental appointment straight away.

If your tooth or teeth are throbbing then please try these self-care tips for some temporary relief, while you’re waiting to see your dentist:

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater
• Floss gently to remove built-up plaque or food in between teeth
• Apply a cold compress to your cheek or jaw
• Take over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can relieve minor pain
• Numbing gels or pastes, such as benzocaine, can help to dull the pain

Treatment for a toothache depends on the cause or source of pain. If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will remove the decay or infection, fill the cavity or possibly extract the tooth (only if there is no way to save the tooth).

A root canal may be necessary if the cause of the toothache is an infection of the tooth’s nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner areas of the tooth cause that type of infection. Your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic if there is swelling or fever in the jaw to get rid of the infection.