Severe dental pain or trauma requires prompt contact with a dentist. What you do in the first few minutes can reduce discomfort and, in some cases, improve the chance of saving a tooth.
Toothache or swelling
Gently rinse with lukewarm water and clean between the teeth if food seems trapped. Do not place aspirin or an irritating product directly on the gum. Contact a dentist to treat the cause; painkillers provide only temporary relief.
Swelling spreading into the face, fever, feeling unwell, or difficulty swallowing or breathing requires urgent care. Antibiotics do not replace dental treatment and are not needed for every toothache.
Broken or knocked-out tooth
- Keep fragments of a broken tooth in a clean container and contact a dentist promptly
- Hold a knocked-out permanent tooth by the crown, never the root
- If dirty, rinse it briefly without scrubbing
- If you cannot gently place it back, keep it in milk and seek care immediately
- Never reinsert a baby tooth yourself
Bleeding or facial trauma
Apply pressure with clean gauze. Call 112 for uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma, loss of consciousness or breathing difficulty. In Luxembourg, 112 is free, available around the clock and can also provide information about out-of-hours services.
Preparing your call
State the patient’s age, when the problem began, whether there is swelling or fever, how the injury happened and which medicines have already been taken. Clear details help the team assess urgency and guide you.