Did you know that if you’ve knocked out a tooth, it doesn’t mean the end for your milky whites? Firstly, if you have knocked out a tooth, you need to get it looked at as quickly as possible by an emergency dentist. In Edinburgh, Polwarth Dental Clinic can offer you emergency dentistry whether you’re our client or not. As long as you call within working hours, we’re happy to help anyone in an emergency.

So, if you have knocked out that tooth, what should you do first of all to help save your tooth?

• Only hold your tooth by the enamel crown end. Don’t hold it by the root as this may damage it or cause infection on reinsertion
• Lick the tooth and root clean or if it’s dirty it’s best to rinse it in milk. Don’t ever use water for this
• If you’re an adult who’s lost a tooth, you can at this point try to push the tooth back into the gum. Don’t ever try this with an infant though
• Once the tooth is in the hole, put a clean handkerchief over the tooth and bite very gently together, this helps the tooth go back into place
• If you are unable to get the tooth back into the hole, store your tooth in your cheek, ensuring it’s covered in saliva. This makes sure the tooth root stays sterile and ready for reinsertion by a dentist
• Call Polwarth Dental Clinic immediately for dental advice and we will try to see you the same day.

Remember, never clean or store your tooth in water, if you have to keep it outside your mouth, immerse it in milk only.

If you are registered with us, we are also able to help you out of hours, so please do call the surgery and listen to the recorded message for information on how to proceed.

If you’re not registered with us, not to worry, out of hours you can still access an emergency dentist in Edinburgh. Just call the NHS 24 hours helpline on 111.

If your needing an emergency dentist in Edinburgh, give us a call and we will do our best to provide you with the information, care and pain management you need to get through your emergency.