In a dental emergency, whether you are in Ngong or elsewhere in Nairobi, the first few minutes matter. Stay calm, protect any knocked-out or broken tooth, control pain and swelling, and contact a dentist as quickly as you can. If you have swelling that is spreading, trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding that will not stop or an injury to the face or jaw, go straight to a hospital emergency department.
This guide covers the most common urgent dental problems and what you can safely do at home before you are seen.
When to go to a hospital emergency department
Some situations need hospital care, not a dental appointment. Go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately if you have:
- Swelling spreading to the eye, face, jaw or neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that does not slow down after 15 to 20 minutes of firm pressure
- A blow to the face or jaw, especially with pain on opening, a change in your bite, or any loss of consciousness
- Swelling together with a high fever or feeling very unwell
Our hours: Pearl Roots Dental Clinic is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. We are not open at weekends or overnight and do not offer a 24-hour service. If you have a serious problem outside those hours, please go to a hospital emergency department rather than waiting for us to open.
Knocked-out adult tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if it is put back quickly. Act fast:
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, the white part you normally see. Do not touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or clean water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it, use soap or wrap it in tissue.
- Try to put it back in its socket, the right way round, and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you cannot put it back, keep it moist. Place it in a small container of milk. An adult can also hold it inside the cheek, but do not do this with a child, who could swallow it.
- Get seen by a dentist as quickly as possible, ideally within the hour.
At the clinic, a dentist may reposition the tooth and splint it to its neighbours while it heals.
Do not try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. It can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Keep your child calm, control any bleeding with gentle pressure and contact a dentist.
Broken or chipped tooth
A broken tooth can range from a small chip to a large fracture. While you arrange to be seen:
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
- Save any pieces you can find and keep them in milk or water
- Hold a cold compress against your cheek to reduce swelling
- Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free chewing gum so it does not cut your tongue or cheek
- Avoid biting on that side and avoid very hot or cold drinks
Even if a chip does not hurt, have it checked. Cracks can let bacteria in and may spread over time. Many chips can be repaired with tooth-coloured materials or protected with a crown. Our restorative care page explains the options.
Severe toothache
Toothache is often a sign of decay, a cracked tooth or infection, and it rarely goes away on its own. Until you see a dentist:
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if it is suitable for you, following the directions on the pack or advice from a pharmacist
- Do not put a painkiller tablet directly on the gum or tooth, as it can burn the gum
- Avoid very sugary, hot or cold foods and drinks
Book an appointment rather than relying on painkillers for days. If the pain comes with swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing, treat it as urgent and go to hospital.
Facial or gum swelling
Swelling around a tooth or in the gum often points to an infection, such as an abscess. It needs prompt attention.
- Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, 10 to 15 minutes at a time
- Rinse gently with warm salt water
- Do not apply heat, and do not try to burst a swelling yourself
- Keep your head raised when lying down
If the swelling is spreading, is near your eye, makes it hard to swallow or breathe, or comes with a high temperature, go to a hospital emergency department straight away. These signs can mean the infection is spreading.
Other urgent problems
| Problem | What to do now |
|---|---|
| Lost filling | Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on it and book an appointment |
| Loose or dislodged crown | Keep the crown safe and bring it with you |
| Bleeding after an extraction | Bite firmly on clean gauze for 15 to 20 minutes and do not rinse vigorously. If it will not stop, seek urgent care |
| Broken braces wire | Cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax and contact us |
| Object stuck between teeth | Try floss gently. Never use a sharp object |
For advice on healing after a tooth is removed, see our guide to tooth extraction in Ngong.
Preventing the next emergency
Many dental emergencies start as small problems that were not causing pain yet. Regular check-ups catch decay, cracks and gum problems early, when treatment is simpler and more affordable. If you or your children play sport, a custom mouth guard is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your teeth. Read more in our sports mouth guard guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pearl Roots open for emergencies at night or at weekends?
No. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Outside those hours, or for any serious symptoms, please go to a hospital emergency department.
How quickly do I need to act if a tooth is knocked out?
As quickly as possible. The best chance of saving a permanent tooth is when it is put back or kept in milk and seen by a dentist within about an hour.
Should I go to the dentist or the hospital for a swollen face?
If the swelling is spreading, affects your eye or neck, or makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to hospital immediately. Mild swelling around one tooth should be seen by a dentist promptly.
Can I wait until Monday with a toothache?
If the pain is manageable and there is no swelling or fever, contact us as soon as we open. If it becomes severe or swelling develops, seek urgent hospital care.