What to do in a dental emergency? A practical guide

A dental emergency can happen at any time: sudden pain at night, a tooth broken while eating, a swollen gum that doubles in size. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference. Here is the practical guide from Cabinet Dentaire du Casino in Montreux.

1. Intense dental pain: what to do?

Severe dental pain is often the sign of pulpitis (inflammation of the nerve) or a dental abscess.

• Take a suitable painkiller (paracetamol or ibuprofen depending on your tolerance) for temporary relief
• Apply cold (never directly on the cheek - a cold cloth is enough) to reduce inflammation
• Do not wait : an untreated pulpitis develops into an abscess, sometimes within 24-48 hours
• Call Cabinet Dentaire du Casino on 021 963 36 71 : we will see you the same day for an emergency

2. Broken or fractured tooth

In the event of a broken tooth following a knock or an accidental bite:

• Collect the fragments if possible and keep them in milk or saliva
• Avoid eating on the side of the broken tooth
• If the pulp (the nerve) is exposed, the pain can be intense: seek care within 2 hours
• If the fracture is superficial (enamel only), you can wait until the next morning

3. Knocked-out tooth (complete avulsion)

This is an absolute dental emergency emergency. The first 60 minutes are crucial to saving the tooth:

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root)
2. Rinse it with saline solution or tap water - do not scrub
3. Place it back in its socket if possible, or keep it in milk or under the cheek (between gum and cheek)
4. Call immediately and come to the practice as an emergency

4. Dental abscess: swollen gum

An abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms: a swollen, warm, painful gum, sometimes fever and a bitter taste in the mouth.

Never pierce an abscess yourself. The infection can spread. Take a painkiller and seek emergency care: the dentist will drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics if necessary.

5. Loss of a filling, crown or bridge

If you lose a filling or a crown, the tooth is weakened and sensitive. While waiting for your appointment:

• Keep the lost crown in a small bag
• Apply clove (eugenol) to the sensitive area to ease the pain
• A temporary crown available from the pharmacy can protect the tooth temporarily
• Seek care within 2-3 days: an unprotected tooth wears down quickly

Dental emergency in Montreux: our number

Cabinet Dentaire du Casino handles your dental emergencies in Montreux. Call 021 963 36 71 as soon as we open (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm). Outside opening hours, the 143 (Swiss medical telephone service) can direct you to an on-call dentist in the canton of Vaud.