What to do, symptom by symptom
Find your case. For each one: what to do right now, what to avoid, and when it's best to be seen within 24 hours.
Abscess or swollen gum: what should I do?
An abscess is a collection of pus from inflammation: it causes throbbing pain and swelling. It needs prompt treatment because it tends to get worse. A painkiller eases the symptom but doesn't solve the cause: you need to be seen.
Do: rinse with warm salty water, take a painkiller as per the leaflet, contact us.
Avoid: cutting the swelling yourself or placing aspirin on the gum (it burns it).
⏱️ Within 24h if the swelling grows. With fever or difficulty swallowing → 112 / Emergency Room.
I've broken or chipped a tooth: is it urgent?
It depends. A small painless chip can wait; a broken tooth with pain, a sharp edge or an exposed nerve should be seen soon to protect it and avoid infection. Keep the fragment, if you find it.
Do: rinse with water, apply cold outside the cheek, keep the piece (even in milk).
Avoid: chewing on that side and using non-dental glues.
⏱️ Within 24h if there's pain or the tooth is badly broken.
My crown, cap or veneer came off: what do I do?
It happens often on holiday and is rarely a serious emergency, but the tooth underneath is left exposed and sensitive. Keep the crown: it can often be re-cemented. If you have no pain, you can manage until the visit.
Do: keep the crown clean; dental adhesive cream from the pharmacy is fine to hold it in place.
Avoid: super-glue or household glues: they damage the tooth and the crown.
⏱️ Within 24-48h if you feel pain or strong cold sensitivity on the exposed tooth.
I've lost a filling: can it wait?
A lost filling is usually not an emergency, but it leaves a cavity where food collects and which can become sensitive. Keep it clean and contact us for a temporary solution to get you home.
Do: rinse after meals, chew on the other side, take a painkiller if needed.
Avoid: ignoring it for days if it becomes painful.
⏱️ Within 24h if sharp pain or strong sensitivity appears.
A tooth was knocked out (dive, rocks, sport): what do I do?
A knocked-out tooth is a true emergency: the chances of saving it drop with every passing minute. Hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root, and contact us straight away.
Do: if it's clean, try to place it back in the socket; otherwise keep it in milk and come immediately.
Avoid: scrubbing the root or letting it dry out.
If a child loses a baby (milk) tooth, it should not be put back in: keep it anyway and message us, we'll assess whether a check-up is needed.
⏱️ Immediately (ideally within an hour). With a head injury → 112 / Emergency Room.
My wisdom tooth hurts (swelling at the back): what do I do?
It's often pericoronitis: the gum around the wisdom tooth becomes inflamed. It causes pain, swelling and sometimes difficulty opening the mouth. Rinses help, but if it worsens it should be seen.
Do: rinse with warm salty water, clean the area gently, take a painkiller.
Avoid: heat on the cheek, which increases the swelling.
⏱️ Within 24h if you can't open your mouth properly or a fever appears.
I have pain or swelling around an implant: is it serious?
Pain, swelling or bleeding around an implant should always be checked: they can point to inflammation of the tissues (peri-implantitis) that is best not ignored. Contact us to understand the situation.
Do: gently clean the area, rinse, and message us describing since when.
Avoid: forcing with toothpicks or waiting for it to "pass on its own".
⏱️ Within 24-48h; with significant swelling or fever, sooner.
My child's brace bracket came off or the wire is poking: what do I do?
It often happens to teenagers on holiday. It's rarely serious, but a poking wire is annoying. It can be eased and managed until a visit, without ruining the holiday.
Do: cover the tip with orthodontic wax (from the pharmacy); keep any detached bracket.
Avoid: cutting the wire yourselves unless strictly necessary.
⏱️ Within 1-2 days; immediately if the wire painfully cuts the cheek.
