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Dental Emergency First Aid

First aid can protect the area while you arrange care, but it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.

Toothache

Rinse gently with warm water and floss to remove trapped food. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums.

Cracked tooth

Rinse with warm water. A cold compress on the face can help with swelling while you arrange prompt dental evaluation.

Knocked-out permanent tooth

Keep the tooth moist, handle it by the crown and seek dental care immediately. If it cannot be placed back in the socket without touching the root, ADA guidance includes milk, the cheek-and-gum area, or an ADA-accepted tooth preservation product as storage options.

General emergency guidance on this site is informed by patient education from the American Dental Association's MouthHealthy program and the American Association of Endodontists. It is educational and does not replace an examination by a dentist.

Call 650-966-6609