An inconspicuous bite into a crusty piece of bread, a hard pit in a cherry – and suddenly a stabbing pain shoots through your jaw. Or you feel a splinter on your tongue where your tooth was just a moment ago. Situations like these don't just happen during sports or travel – they often strike us when we least expect them. Whether it's a broken front tooth, a fallen out filling, or a throbbing pain out of nowhere: dental emergencies strike suddenly – and require clear, considered action.
But what should you do immediately? What relieves the pain – and what might make it worse? And most importantly: How can such situations be avoided in the long run? In this article, we take a closer look at the most common dental emergencies – and provide you with concrete, easy-to-implement tips. For at home, on the go, and for the peace of mind of being prepared in an emergency. With the right care and a little knowledge, you can prevent many problems – and react quickly, safely, and calmly in an emergency.
Toothache – what’s behind it?
Dull, throbbing, or stabbing? Toothache can have many forms – and the cause is often deeper than expected.
Common triggers:
- Inflammation of the dental nerve (pulpitis)
- Caries under an old filling
- Gum inflammation (gingivitis, periodontitis)
- Hypersensitivity to exposed tooth necks
- Hairline cracks in the tooth enamel or grinding
What to do?
- Stay calm – and do not irritate the tooth further
- Rinse gently with lukewarm salt water
- Pain-relieving toothpaste or ibuprofen if needed
- Cool (e.g. with a cooling pad on the outside of the cheek – never directly on the tooth!)
- And: See the dentist as soon as possible
Important: Avoid heat, pressure, and vigorous brushing. For acute irritation, use an ultrasonic toothbrush like our emmi-dent Slim to avoid additional strain on the affected area.
Broken tooth – a case for tooth rescue
A moment of inattention, a fall while jogging, a tackle on the soccer field, or simply biting into a hard cherry pit – and suddenly it's there: the shocking moment when a tooth splinters or breaks out completely. Besides the pain, it's often the look in the mirror that causes panic. A broken tooth is not only a functional problem, but for many, an aesthetic nightmare as well.
But no matter how dramatic the situation may seem, with the right emergency aid, a surprising amount can often be saved. The most important thing now is to stay calm and act quickly . Because the faster you react, the better the chances that your tooth can be successfully reattached.
Your 5-point emergency plan – step by step:
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Find a tooth or fragment:
Carefully locate the broken piece and, if possible, only handle it by the crown, the upper visible part of the tooth. The root must not be touched under any circumstances, as it is extremely sensitive and contains important cellular structures. -
Do not clean, do not scrub:
While it may seem tempting to clean the piece under running water, please don't! Saliva contains natural protective substances that protect the tooth from drying out. Wiping it with tissues or cloths can further damage the root. -
Store in a moist place – the most important point:
Proper storage often determines the success of treatment. A so-called tooth rescue box , available from a pharmacy, is ideal. Alternatively, cold UHT milk will also work, or, in a pinch, saliva (e.g., placed between the cheek and gum). Never store in dry conditions or in water – this damages the cell structure of the tooth root. -
Stop bleeding:
For an open wound, gentle pressure with a clean gauze pad, compress, or clean handkerchief helps. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove any blood residue—and avoid using disinfectant solutions. -
Seek dental treatment as soon as possible:
Ideally, within the first 30 to 60 minutes . The sooner the tooth is replanted, the higher the chance of saving it permanently. Call the emergency number of your dentist's office or the nearest dental clinic directly.
Extra tip:
Anyone who participates in sports – whether in a club, at the gym, or in contact sports – should consider carrying a small dental rescue kit in their gym bag. It's no bigger than a bottle of eye drops, weighs almost nothing, and can make all the difference in an emergency. It's also an ideal addition to a backpack or glove compartment for parents of active children.
If the filling falls out – what to do if the inlay or filling is lost?
A brief moment of inattention while chewing – and suddenly you feel it: a piece is gone. Whether it's a cavity filling, inlay, or partial crown – a lost tooth element is rarely a medical emergency, but it still warrants careful handling. Because the sensitive interior of the tooth is now unprotected and vulnerable to bacteria, cold, or pressure.
This means: The faster and more targeted you react, the better you can avoid subsequent damage.
What you should do now:
- Secure the part that fell out . If you find it, store it in a clean, dry place. In some cases, it can be reinserted.
- Protect the affected tooth – if possible, cover the hole with sugar-free chewing gum or a temporary dental filling from a pharmacy. This will at least keep food debris out.
- Be careful with what you eat and drink – avoid anything hot, cold, sweet, or sticky. The tooth is sensitive – any additional irritation can trigger pain.
- Never scrub with a hard toothbrush – mechanical pressure on the defective tooth can further destabilize it.
Especially in this situation , a particularly gentle, motion-free cleaning is crucial. The emmi-dent Slim works entirely without rubbing – using only real ultrasound. This gently removes bacteria and plaque from the affected tooth without placing additional strain on the dental tissue.
Conclusion:
With the right first aid measures and gentle, careful dental care, you can easily bridge the time until your dentist appointment – and your tooth will remain as well protected as possible.
When dentures press – gentle help for unpleasant pressure points
For many, the moment when a new denture, crown, or bridge is finally fitted represents a significant improvement in quality of life. However, uncomfortable pressure points can occur, especially in the first few days after fitting. This is not uncommon – especially if the dentures are not yet fully adjusted or are being worn again after a long break.
The sensitive oral mucosa reacts quickly to even the slightest friction. Even the smallest misfit or localized pressure can lead to painful irritation, which becomes noticeable when chewing, speaking, or even at rest.
What can you do now to provide relief and prevent further damage?
- Remove the denture regularly and clean it thoroughly to prevent germ growth and additional irritation.
- Gently rinse pressure points with chamomile or sage tea – this soothes the tissue and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Do not use adhesive creams as gap fillers! While these may provide temporary stability, they mask the cause and delay the necessary adjustment.
- Make an appointment with your dentist or dental technician to have the fit checked and adjusted.
- Eat in a way that is kind to your teeth: During this phase, avoid hot, cold, spicy or sticky foods that put additional strain on the irritated tissue.
Thorough but gentle oral care is especially important now – because inflamed areas are more susceptible to bacterial colonization. Conventional brushing, which involves pressure and movement, can further irritate these sensitive areas.
An emmi-dent ultrasonic toothbrush offers a decisive advantage here: Thanks to its contact-free ultrasonic technology, it cleans without mechanical friction . There's no need to scrub or press – the ultrasound creates millions of microbubbles that clean thoroughly and painlessly, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Especially with new prostheses or temporary pressure sores, this technology protects your mucous membranes, prevents inflammation and supports natural healing.
Bleeding gums – harmless or a serious warning sign?
A drop of blood when spitting out, slightly reddened gums after brushing – many people are familiar with these situations and initially pay little attention to them. But sudden or regularly recurring bleeding gums are often more than just a harmless side effect. It can be the first sign of incipient inflammation, mechanical injury, or even periodontal disease .
In such cases, it's important to react sensitively—and not brush even harder in the hope that the problem will "scrub away." On the contrary: Aggressive brushing can worsen the irritation and open small wounds further.
What really helps now:
- Gentle rinsing with anti-inflammatory solutions such as sage tea or lukewarm salt water
- Avoid hard toothbrushes or rotating systems that put additional strain on the sensitive tissue
- Switch to a particularly gentle, contactless tooth cleaning with real ultrasonic technology , as offered by the emmi-dent Slim
- Arrange a check-up appointment with the dentist to medically clarify the cause
If the bleeding is ignored, a minor irritation can quickly develop into serious gingivitis or periodontitis . In the latter case, not only the gums but also the periodontal ligament are affected – leading to deep gum pockets, tissue recession, and even the threat of tooth loss in the long term.
Early detection and prevention are key here. And that's precisely why gentle, daily dental care—like that provided by emmi-dent Slim—is one of the most important measures for keeping gums healthy in the long term.
Travel & dental emergencies – what should be in your dental kit?
Planning a vacation? Then your toiletry bag should contain not only your toothbrush but also a small dental emergency kit.
Recommended content:
- emmi-dent Slim + USB charging cable
- emmi-dent ultrasonic toothpaste
- Tooth rescue box or sterile mini container
- Sage tea, pain gel, small gauze cloths
- Emergency number of your health insurance company or dentist
Contactless cleaning with ultrasound is a real advantage, especially when traveling – no mechanical friction, no unnecessary irritation from unfamiliar foods or climatic influences.
Whether it's a sudden toothache, a broken tooth, or a lost filling – knowing what to do can help you react quickly and correctly. But it's even better to prevent such situations from occurring in the first place.
