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A tooth that has been completely knocked out of the socket can be reimplanted, if you act within 60 minutes. Beyond 60 minutes, the periodontal ligament fibres on the root surface die and reimplantation fails. Here is exactly what to do:

1. 01

   Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part you chew with), never touch the root.

2. 02

   If it is dirty, rinse gently with cold water for 10 seconds, do not scrub, do not use soap.

3. 03

   Try to reinsert it into the socket immediately. Push it firmly in the correct position and bite gently on a cloth to hold it.

4. 04

   If you cannot reinsert it: place the tooth in a glass of cold milk (milk preserves the ligament cells). If no milk is available, tuck it between your cheek and gum.

5. 05

   Do NOT store it in water, water destroys the cells within minutes.

6. 06

   Call us immediately: 0336 1176453. Tell us it is a knocked-out tooth. We will prioritise you.

A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that starts at the root tip or in the gum. It produces a pus-filled pocket. When contained, it is painful but manageable with root canal or extraction. When it spreads, it becomes dangerous.

1. 01

   Swelling spreading toward the neck or throat, go to hospital A&E immediately

2. 02

   Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, go to hospital A&E immediately

3. 03

   Difficulty breathing, go to hospital A&E immediately

4. 04

   Fever above 39°C with facial swelling, go to hospital A&E immediately

5. 05

   Eye swelling with dental pain, go to hospital A&E immediately

Throbbing, constant tooth pain that keeps you up at night or worsens when you lie down indicates pulpitis, the nerve (pulp) inside the tooth is inflamed or infected. This does not resolve on its own and will worsen.

1. 01

   Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkiller with food, as directed on the packet. An anti-inflammatory generally settles dental pain better than a plain painkiller, because it treats the inflammation driving it.

2. 02

   Apply a cold compress (ice wrapped in cloth) to the cheek for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, reduces vascular pressure.

3. 03

   Avoid heat on the face, heat increases blood flow and worsens the pain.

4. 04

   Sleep with your head elevated, lying flat increases pressure in the pulp and intensifies pain.

5. 05

   Avoid very hot, very cold, or sweet foods on the affected side.

A cracked or broken tooth ranges from minor (chipped enamel, care focused on comfort) to severe (crack running to the root, throbbing pain). The urgency depends on how deep the crack is and whether there is pain.

1. 01

   Rinse with warm salt water to clean the area

2. 02

   Apply cold compress to the cheek if there is swelling

3. 03

   If a sharp edge is cutting your cheek or tongue, cover it with dental wax or sugarfree chewing gum temporarily, available at pharmacies

4. 04

   Avoid biting on the affected tooth

5. 05

   Collect any broken fragment if you can, bring it with you

A lost filling exposes the dentine layer, which is soft and decays rapidly. A lost crown exposes the prepared tooth stump which is thin and fragile.

1. 01

   For a lost filling: temporary filling material (Dentanurse or equivalent) is available at pharmacies. Press it into the cavity to protect the dentine. This buys 24 to 48 hours.

2. 02

   For a lost crown: do not attempt to recement it yourself using household adhesives, this can trap bacteria and damage the tooth. Store the crown in a small bag and bring it with you.

3. 03

   Avoid hard, sticky, or very hot/cold foods on that side.

Some bleeding for 24 hours after an extraction is completely normal. Heavy, sustained bleeding that soaks through gauze pads and does not slow with firm pressure is not.

1. 01

   Bite firmly on a clean folded gauze pad or cloth for 30 minutes continuously, do not keep checking and releasing

2. 02

   If gauze is not available: bite on a moistened tea bag, tannic acid in tea promotes clotting

3. 03

   Sit upright, do not lie flat

4. 04

   Avoid spitting, rinsing, or drinking hot liquids

5. 05

   If bleeding does not slow after 30 minutes of firm pressure: call us immediately

Pericoronitis is the infection of the gum flap that partially covers an erupting wisdom tooth. The gum pocket traps food and bacteria, the tissue becomes inflamed, and the result is pain that radiates to the ear and jaw, difficulty opening the mouth fully, and sometimes a bad taste from pus draining under the flap.

1. 01

   Rinse firmly with warm salt water, this flushes the pocket and reduces bacteria

2. 02

   Use an antiseptic chlorhexidine mouthwash if you have one, it reduces the bacterial load in the pocket

3. 03

   Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkiller, as directed on the packet

4. 04

   Do not try to cut the gum flap yourself