Knocked-out adult tooth
Pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse briefly without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it in milk and see a dentist within an hour if possible.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse with warm water, save any pieces, and use a cold compress for swelling. See a dentist soon: the cost depends on the fix (see bonding or crown).
Severe toothache
Rinse, floss gently to remove trapped food, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label. Don’t put aspirin on the gum. See a dentist: it may need a root canal or extraction.
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown, and see your dentist. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth briefly.
What it costs
An emergency exam with an X-ray typically costs $100-$350 before treatment. See emergency dental visit costs.
This guide is general information, not medical advice.
