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mildHead & face

Tooth & dental injury

Dental pain is exhausting and very real. Here's how to manage it and exactly what to do — even if a tooth has been knocked out.

For children:

  • Step 1Salt water rinse: Supervise children carefully. Use a smaller amount of salt and make sure they don't swallow.
  • Step 3Knocked-out adult tooth — act within 30 minutes: Do NOT reimplant a knocked-out baby (primary) tooth. It can damage the adult tooth growing underneath. See a dentist, but leave the socket empty.
Steps

5 steps

  1. 1

    Salt water rinse

    Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse gently for 30 seconds. Cleans the area and reduces inflammation and bacteria.

  2. 2

    Pain relief

    Ibuprofen is most effective for dental pain — it reduces both pain and inflammation. Paracetamol is also helpful. Clove oil applied to the gum with a cotton swab provides temporary numbing.

    Important: Never place aspirin directly against the gum or tooth — it burns the soft tissue.
  3. 3

    Knocked-out adult tooth — act within 30 minutes

    Pick up by the crown (top), not the root. If dirty, rinse gently with milk or saline — not tap water, not scrubbing. Replace in the socket if possible, or store between cheek and gum, or in a cup of milk.

    Tip: Under 30 minutes: very good chance of saving the tooth. Under 60 minutes: possible. After 2 hours: unlikely. Go to a dentist immediately.
  4. 4

    Broken tooth

    Rinse with warm water. Apply a cold pack to the outside of the face. Save any tooth fragments in milk. See a dentist within 24 hours.

  5. 5

    See a dentist as soon as possible

    All dental injuries and severe toothaches need professional evaluation.

    Important: Significant face swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing alongside tooth pain can indicate spreading infection — which can be dangerous. Go to ER if these are present.
Kit

What you'll need

  • Salt and warm water
  • Ibuprofen
  • Clove oil (optional)
  • Milk for a knocked-out tooth
  • Cold pack
Related

Head & face

Guidance only — in any emergency, call 911.