If the tooth was knocked out

Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part, never by the root. If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds with milk or saline, without scrubbing. If the person is an adult and calm, you can try to place it back in its socket and bite gently on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a glass of milk or inside the cheek, and message us immediately.

A permanent tooth that is put back within the first hour has a real chance of staying. After that, the chances drop quickly. Baby teeth are not put back; the child should still be examined.

If the tooth is broken or chipped

Save the pieces in milk or water. Rinse the mouth with warm water and use a cold compress on the cheek to reduce swelling. If the tooth is sensitive to air or cold, or you can see a pink or red spot in the break, the nerve may be exposed and it needs care the same day.

Small chips are often repaired with tooth-colored resin, and sometimes the original fragment can be bonded back. Larger fractures may need a root canal and a crown. Dr. Moisés Lukowiecki is a specialist in dental trauma and endodontics, so he can assess both the outside of the tooth and the nerve inside.

Cracked teeth that hurt when you bite

Not every fracture is visible. A sharp pain when you bite down and release, especially on a back tooth, can mean a crack. These cracks tend to grow, so it is better to have them checked early, before the tooth splits.

Before you arrive

What to do right now

1. Find the toothPick it up by the crown, never by the root.
2. Keep it moistIn milk, saline or inside the cheek. Never dry or in tissue.
3. Control bleedingBite gently on a clean cloth for ten to fifteen minutes.
4. Within the hourMessage us right away; the first hour matters most.

Swelling that spreads to the eye or neck, fever or trouble swallowing: go to a hospital emergency room right away.