Emergencies
Dental emergency in Korea: what to do in the first hour
Toothache, a broken tooth or a knocked-out tooth while travelling in Korea. What to do right away, when to see a dentist, and when to call 119.
By Dr. Kang Jun-guMedically reviewed by Dr. Kang Jun-guPublished Updated 6 min read
Quick answer
For a knocked-out tooth, keep it in milk and see a dentist within the hour. For toothache or a broken tooth, rinse, take your usual painkiller and message a dental clinic with a photo. Call 119 if swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or if you have trouble breathing or a high fever.
Knocked-out tooth: the first hour matters most
- Pick it up by the crown, never the root
- If it's dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline; don't scrub
- Keep it in milk, or inside your cheek if you're an adult
- Get to a dentist as fast as you can
Broken or chipped tooth
Collect any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water and avoid chewing on that side. A small chip can often be repaired with same-day bonding; a larger break may need a crown, which some clinics can make the same day.
Toothache
Rinse with warm water, floss gently around the tooth in case food is trapped, and take a painkiller you normally use. Don't put aspirin on the gum, as it can burn the tissue.
When it's not a dental clinic job
- Swelling spreading towards the eye or down the neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- High fever with facial swelling
- Heavy bleeding that won't stop, or a facial injury from an accident
Questions people also ask
Can I see a dentist the same day in Seoul?
Many clinics, including ours, keep time for same-day emergencies during opening hours. Send a photo by chat first so the clinic can tell you when to come.
Is a dental emergency covered by travel insurance?
Many travel policies cover emergency dental treatment for pain relief. Ask the clinic for an itemised receipt and treatment note in English for your claim.
Need this looked at in Seoul?
Check-ups, scaling and whitening, with fees shown before we start.
Dr. Kang is a board-certified Integrated Dentistry specialist trained at Yonsei, Harvard and Columbia. He treats every patient at the Gongdeok clinic himself.
About Dr. KangHow we write these guides: each guide is written from questions our patients ask, reviewed by Dr. Kang, and updated when guidance changes. It is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, please book a check-up.
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