If there is bleeding:

• Wear gloves to avoid infection. 

• Place a clean folded gauze pad, cloth, or paper towel over the site. 

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If teeth are knocked out (avulsed): 

• The tooth may be successfully re-planted and saved if, gotten to the dentist within one hour: 

  • If you find the tooth, pick it up by the crown (not the root). 

  • If tooth is dirty, gently rinse with water. 

  • Do NOT scrub the tooth. 

  • Hold the tooth by the crown and gently re-insert the tooth back into the socket. Check that it is inserted the correct way. 

  • Have someone hold the tooth in the socket while being transported to the dentist by biting on a clean gauze or cloth.  

• If an avulsed tooth cannot be placed back into the socket: 

  • Place the tooth in a cup of fresh milk, saline solution, or the patient's own saliva. Water is the last resort. Transport to the dentist immediately. ​

  • Never wrap the tooth in gauze or tissue. 

  • Be sure to control the bleeding with pressure. Check for other injury. 

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If teeth are displaced or partially dislodged: 

• If the tooth has been pushed up into the socket or gum by trauma, control the bleeding. 

• Do NOT attempt to pull it out into position. 

• If the tooth is loose but not pushed up into the socket or gum, gently place tooth back in its original position with gloved hands. 

• Transport to the dentist immediately. 

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If tooth is broken or fractured: 

• Control bleeding. 

• Gently clean any dirt from the injured area using warm water. 

• Place a cold compress over the injured area. 

• Wrap the tooth in wet gauze. Visit the dentist immediately. 

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If there is jaw dislocation or facture: 

• Contact the nearest hospital emergency department immediately or an oral surgeon. 

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If you have toothache or abscess: 

• Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm or salt water to dislodge any food debris. 

• Clean the area around the tooth by brushing and flossing gently. 

• Do NOT place aspirin at the toothache site, as this may cause a chemical burn of the gum tissue. 

• Apply a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. If the face is swollen, apply a cold compress for 10 minutes on and five minutes off. Avoid heat and chewing pressure at the site. 

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If there is soft tissue injury: 

• Rinse repeatedly with warm water. 

• Apply firm gentle pressure to the area using a tea bag or gauze squares for about 15 minutes. 

• Apply cold compress to the outside of the affected area if swelling/bruising is present. 

• Transport to the dentist or hospital emergency room if bleeding persists. 

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If there is prolonged bleeding or post-extraction complication: 

• Place sterile gauze on the extraction site and have the patient apply pressure by biting down for half an hour. 

• Use enough gauze to keep top and bottom teeth slightly apart. 

• Transport the patient to the dentist or the hospital emergency room.