A dental emergency is any problem with your teeth, gums or jaw that needs care quickly to ease severe pain, stop bleeding, control an infection or give a damaged tooth a better chance of being saved. If you’re not sure whether your situation is urgent, it’s safer to call a dentist and ask than to wait and see.
This guide explains what counts as a dental emergency, what to do in the first hour, when you need a hospital instead of a dentist, and how our emergency dentist in North Sydney can help.
First, is it a hospital emergency?
Some mouth and face problems can’t wait for a dental appointment. Call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if you or your child has:
- difficulty breathing, swallowing or talking
- swelling that is spreading to the eye, neck or under the tongue
- a high temperature with facial swelling, or you feel very unwell
- bleeding that won’t stop after 15–20 minutes of firm pressure
- a possible broken jaw, or a jaw that won’t open or close
- a knock to the head with loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion or a bad headache
Once any serious injury or spreading infection has been managed, you can see a dentist to treat the tooth itself.
What counts as a dental emergency?
These problems usually need to be seen by a dentist as soon as possible, ideally the same day:
- A knocked-out adult tooth. Time matters most here. The chance of saving the tooth is highest if you see a dentist within about 30 minutes.
- A broken, chipped or cracked tooth, especially if it is painful, sharp or you can see pink or red inside it.
- Facial or gum swelling, which can be a sign of a dental abscess (a pocket of infection).
- Severe or throbbing toothache that keeps you awake or doesn’t settle with over-the-counter pain relief.
- A tooth that has been pushed out of position or is suddenly very loose after an injury.
- Bleeding after a tooth extraction that doesn’t settle with pressure, or worsening pain a few days after an extraction.
Urgent, but it can usually wait a day or two
Some problems are uncomfortable but not usually dangerous. Call us during opening hours and we’ll arrange a time to see you:
- a lost filling or a crown that has come off, with little or no pain
- mild sensitivity to hot or cold
- a small chip with no pain and no sharp edge
- food stuck between the teeth that you can’t shift with floss
- a broken denture or a loose orthodontic wire
Leaving these for weeks can turn a small problem into a bigger one, so it’s still worth booking in soon.
What to do in a dental emergency: first aid steps
Knocked-out tooth
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part you chew with). Don’t touch the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or water. Don’t scrub it or wrap it in tissue.
- If it’s an adult tooth, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can’t put it back, keep it in a small container of milk, or in the mouth against the cheek (adults only).
- See a dentist straight away.
Never put a baby tooth back in. It can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Bring your child in to be checked instead.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Keep any broken pieces in milk or saline and bring them with you. Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
Toothache or swelling
Rinse with warm salty water and gently floss around the tooth in case food is trapped. Hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against the outside of your cheek for 10–15 minutes at a time. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the pack, may help if it’s safe for you. Don’t put aspirin or heat on the gum or face.
Bleeding
Fold a clean gauze pad or cloth, place it over the area and bite down firmly for 15–20 minutes without checking. Sit upright and avoid rinsing, spitting or hot drinks. If bleeding continues, seek help.
Dental emergencies after hours and on weekends
North Sydney Dentistry is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. If something happens outside these hours:
- for any of the hospital warning signs above, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
- for advice on whether you need to be seen tonight, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, available 24 hours a day
- for pain you can manage at home, follow the first aid steps above and call us when we open
What happens at an emergency dental appointment?
We aim to see urgent problems as soon as possible, often on the same day. Learn more about our same-day emergency dentist appointments. At your visit, your dentist will usually:
- ask what happened and check your medical history and medications
- examine the area and take X-rays if needed
- relieve pain and stabilise the problem, for example by draining an infection, placing a temporary filling, smoothing a sharp edge or splinting a loose tooth
- explain your options for longer-term treatment, the likely costs and any risks, before anything further is done
Depending on the cause, follow-up care may include a filling, a dental crown, root canal therapy or a tooth extraction. If you feel anxious about dental treatment, ask us about happy gas.
How much does emergency dental care cost?
The cost depends on what your dentist finds and what treatment you need on the day. An examination and X-rays are usually the starting point, and further treatment is quoted before it begins. If you have extras cover, you may be able to claim part of the cost on the spot. We are a preferred provider for Bupa Members First, Medibank Members’ Choice and nib First Choice. See our price guide, or ask about payment plans for larger treatment.
How to lower your risk of a dental emergency
- Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard for contact sports and training.
- Don’t chew ice, pens or hard lollies, or use your teeth to open packets.
- Have regular check-ups so decay and cracked fillings can be found before they cause pain. See our preventive dentistry options.
- Don’t ignore early warning signs such as sensitivity, a bad taste or tender gums.
Frequently asked questions
Is a toothache a dental emergency?
A mild toothache can usually wait for a regular appointment, but severe or throbbing pain, pain that wakes you at night, or toothache with swelling or fever should be seen urgently. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 000.
Should I go to hospital or a dentist for a dental emergency?
Go to hospital or call 000 for difficulty breathing or swallowing, spreading facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, a possible broken jaw or a head injury. For most other tooth problems, a dentist is the right place to go.
How quickly do I need to see a dentist for a knocked-out tooth?
As quickly as possible, ideally within 30 minutes. Keep an adult tooth in the socket or in milk on the way. Never put a baby tooth back in.
What should I do if my dental emergency happens on a weekend?
North Sydney Dentistry is open Monday to Friday. On weekends, call 000 or go to hospital for serious symptoms, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice, and call us when we open for anything that can wait.
Need help now?
North Sydney Dentistry is at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney, a two-minute walk from North Sydney station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and keep time aside for urgent problems where we can. Call (02) 8090 1108 or book online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or doctor. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
