If an adult tooth has been knocked out:

• Rinse the tooth in milk or saline solution, or very briefly in water.
• If the person is fully conscious, put the tooth back in place using the other teeth as a guide.

or

• Go straight to the dental clinic with the tooth in milk and sealed in plastic wrap.
• If the person is partly or fully unconscious, call an ambulance and do not touch the teeth.

Do not:

• transport the tooth in water.
• scrape or scrub the root surface.
• allow the tooth to dry out.
• delay seeking dental treatment/advice.

• Most children under five years have baby teeth only.
• Do not put a baby tooth back into the mouth.
• If in doubt, place the tooth in milk and take it and your child to seek dental advice.

Facial swelling can be very serious, even life-threatening, and must be assessed by a dental professional straight away.

A tooth abscess is a bacterial infection that can be caused by tooth decay, or when a tooth is knocked or broken.

If the abscess is not treated by a dental professional, the infection can spread to the cheek, face and jaw.

Pain relief medication and/or antibiotics may temporarily reduce symptoms but will not remove the cause of the problem.