A dental emergency can happen at any time. A tooth gets knocked out during backyard cricket. A filling falls out on a Sunday evening. A child trips and chips a front tooth at the park.
In these moments, what you do in the first 30 to 60 minutes can make a real difference to the outcome. Having the right supplies at home means you can respond effectively while you arrange to see a dentist.
Here is what to include in a dental emergency kit and how to use each item.
What to include in your kit
You do not need specialist equipment. Most of these items are available at a Brisbane pharmacy or online.
Tooth preservation product
This is the most important item in the kit, and the one most households do not have. If a permanent tooth is knocked out completely, keeping it moist in a suitable solution may improve the chance of successful reimplantation.
Save-a-Tooth is a commercially available tooth preservation system. It contains a solution (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution) that keeps the root surface cells alive for up to 24 hours. The kit includes a small container and a mesh basket to hold the tooth.
If you do not have a dedicated product, milk is a practical alternative. It has a compatible pH and osmolality that helps preserve the root cells.
Read our full guide on what to do if a tooth is knocked out.
Sterile gauze pads
Gauze is useful for controlling bleeding from the gums or soft tissue. Fold a pad and apply gentle, firm pressure to the bleeding area. Gauze can also be dampened and used to handle a knocked-out tooth by the crown (never the root).
Small container with a lid
If you do not have a tooth preservation product, you need a clean container to hold milk or saline and the tooth. A small screw-top jar or plastic container works. Include one in the kit so you are not searching for one in a panic.
Saline solution
Sterile saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is useful for rinsing the mouth after an injury or flushing debris from a wound. You can buy single-use saline ampoules at most pharmacies. These are also useful for general first aid.
Temporary repair and comfort items
Temporary dental cement
Available over the counter at pharmacies under brand names like Dentemp. This can be used to temporarily re-attach a loose crown or cover an exposed cavity until you can see your dentist. It is not a permanent fix, but it provides protection and reduces sensitivity for a day or two.
Dental wax
If a broken tooth has a sharp edge that is cutting the tongue or cheek, dental wax (the same type used for braces) can be pressed over the edge to provide a smooth surface until the tooth is repaired. Available at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Over-the-counter pain relief
Keep an over-the-counter pain reliever that is suitable for your household. Follow the product label, and ask a pharmacist or clinician before combining medicines or if you are unsure what is safe for you.
Do not place aspirin directly on the gum. This is a common folk remedy that can cause a chemical burn to the tissue.
Cold pack
A reusable cold pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth can help reduce swelling after a dental injury. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes at a time with breaks in between.
Your dentist's contact details
Save your dental practice's emergency booking page and phone number before you need them. At Ivy Dental, emergency appointments can be booked online at any time. During opening hours, our number is (07) 3266 7120 for phone triage and booking help.
How to use the kit for common emergencies
Knocked-out tooth
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part). Do not touch the root.
- If there is visible dirt, rinse gently with milk or saline. Do not scrub.
- If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and bite down gently on gauze to hold it in position.
- If you cannot reposition it, place the tooth in Save-a-Tooth, milk, or saline.
- See a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. Time is critical for reimplantation success.
Chipped or broken tooth
- Rinse the mouth gently with warm saline.
- If there is a sharp edge, cover it with dental wax to protect the tongue and cheek.
- If the break is large and the tooth is sensitive, cover the exposed area with temporary dental cement.
- Take pain relief if needed.
- See your dentist as soon as possible. Read our guide on what to do with a chipped tooth.
Lost filling or crown
- If a crown has come off, clean it gently and try to reposition it using temporary dental cement.
- If a filling has fallen out, apply temporary dental cement to cover the cavity and reduce sensitivity.
- Avoid chewing on that side.
- Book a dental appointment within 1 to 2 days.
Bleeding after extraction or injury
- Fold a piece of sterile gauze into a firm pad.
- Place it over the bleeding site and bite down with steady pressure for 20 minutes.
- Do not keep removing the gauze to check. Continuous pressure is needed for a clot to form.
- If bleeding does not stop after 30 minutes of continuous pressure, contact your dentist or visit an emergency department.
Where to store the kit
Keep the kit in a consistent, accessible location. A bathroom cupboard or kitchen drawer works well. If you have children involved in sport, consider keeping a second, smaller kit in the sports bag with a tooth preservation product, gauze, and your dentist's phone number.
Check the expiry dates on the saline, pain relief, and tooth preservation product every 6 to 12 months.
When to call the dentist
A dental emergency kit buys you time. It does not replace professional treatment. Contact your dentist as soon as possible for:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth (this is the most time-sensitive situation)
- A broken tooth with visible pink or red tissue inside
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth
- Severe pain that does not respond to over-the-counter medication
- Swelling in the face or jaw
- A dental abscess (swelling with pus)
You can read more about what qualifies as a dental emergency in our emergency guide.
Ivy Dental emergency appointments
We see emergency patients 7 days a week across our Everton Park and Nundah locations. Book online at any time. During opening hours, call for phone triage and booking help. Appointment timing depends on clinical urgency and clinic capacity, so same-day care is not guaranteed.
Book an emergency appointment at any time, or call Ivy Dental on (07) 3266 7120 during opening hours. Open 7 days.
