Dental accidents or injuries

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A dental injury is an injury to the mouth that causes broken, lost or displaced teeth or damage to your gums.

What to do if you have an accident or injury

If you have an accident or injury that affects your mouth, teeth or gums, it is important to remain calm and assess the situation.

A front tooth can be knocked out. Quick action could save that tooth:

Keep calm and act quickly. Try to find the tooth. Only adult teeth can be saved. Baby teeth cannot.
Phone a dental clinic to let them know you’re on your way. Make plans to get there immediately.
Handle the tooth by the crown (big) end. Avoid touching the root as this may damage the tooth and make it impossible to replant.
If the tooth is dirty, wash it with milk, saline solution or water, but only for a second or two.
Carefully place the adult tooth back in. Make sure the tooth is facing the right way. Get the person to bite on a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place until the dental professional can manage it.

If you can’t put the tooth back in or aren’t sure that it is an adult tooth, carry it to the dental clinic in milk. Do not store it in water.

Immediately call 000

If you or another person has:

any loss of consciousness
airway or breathing difficulties
dizziness, vomiting or fainting
significant bleeding from the mouth or face
significant injury to teeth, gums, tongue, face, lips, cheeks or other areas in the mouth.

Cracked, fractured or broken teeth may or may not be painful.

It is recommended that you see an oral health professional as early as possible.