Short answer: what should I do in a dental emergency?
In a dental emergency, act quickly and call a dentist as early as you can. For a knocked-out adult tooth, time is critical, so handle the tooth by the crown, and if you can, gently reinsert it or store it in milk and seek dental care immediately. For severe pain, swelling, bleeding or a broken tooth, contact a dentist the same day. If there is facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, treat it as a medical emergency and seek urgent medical help.
What counts as a dental emergency
Not every dental problem is an emergency, but several are. The ones that usually need prompt attention include:
- A knocked-out adult tooth
- Severe or worsening toothache
- A broken, cracked or badly chipped tooth, especially if painful
- Facial or gum swelling
- Bleeding that does not stop
- A dental abscess
- An injury to the mouth, lips or jaw
Healthdirect notes that dental problems such as a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, or significant bleeding and swelling should be treated as urgent and that you should see a dentist as soon as possible.
A lost filling, a lost crown or mild sensitivity is usually uncomfortable rather than dangerous, but it is still worth booking in promptly so a small problem does not become a bigger one.
Toothache
Toothache is the most common reason people call in pain. It can come from decay, a cracked tooth, an exposed nerve, a dental abscess or gum problems.
While you arrange to be seen, sensible steps include rinsing gently with warm salty water, keeping the area clean, and using over-the-counter pain relief according to the packet and your own medical history. Better Health Victoria suggests warm salt water rinses can help soothe some mouth and gum irritation, though this manages the symptom rather than the cause.
The important point is that ongoing toothache is a signal, not a problem to wait out. If pain is severe, keeps you awake, or comes with swelling or fever, you should be seen promptly.
A knocked-out tooth
A knocked-out adult tooth is one of the few true time-critical dental emergencies, because the sooner it is back in place, the better the chance of saving it.
Healthdirect's first aid guidance for a knocked-out adult tooth is to hold the tooth by the crown and not the root, avoid scrubbing it, and if possible gently place it back into the socket. If you cannot reinsert it, keep it moist by storing it in milk, and see a dentist or seek dental care immediately.
A few practical notes from that guidance. Handle the tooth only by the white crown, not the root. Do not scrub it or wrap it in tissue, which can damage the cells needed for it to reattach. If you reinsert it, bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place. Then get to a dentist straight away.
One important exception: if a child knocks out a baby tooth, do not try to reinsert it, and contact a dentist for advice, because reimplanting a baby tooth can harm the developing adult tooth underneath.
A broken or chipped tooth
A broken or chipped tooth ranges from a minor chip to a painful fracture. While you arrange care, rinse with warm water, save any pieces if you can, and use a cold compress on the outside of the face to ease swelling.
If the tooth is sharp and is cutting your tongue or cheek, dental wax or even sugar-free gum over the edge can be a temporary measure until you are seen. Painful breaks, or breaks that expose the inside of the tooth, should be looked at promptly.
Swelling and dental abscesses
Swelling of the gum or face can indicate a dental abscess, which is a collection of infection. This is one to take seriously rather than wait out.
Healthdirect notes that a dental abscess will not get better on its own and needs dental treatment, and that you should see a dentist promptly. Pain relief and salt water rinses may ease symptoms, but they do not treat the infection.
There is one situation that is beyond a dental emergency. If facial swelling is spreading, or is affecting your breathing or swallowing, or you feel very unwell with a fever, treat it as a medical emergency and seek urgent medical help, including going to a hospital emergency department.
Lost filling or crown
A lost filling or crown is usually not dangerous, but the exposed tooth can be sensitive and sharp. Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side, and keep a lost crown if you can, as it can sometimes be re-cemented. Book in promptly so the tooth can be protected before it breaks further.
How we handle emergencies at the practice
When you call us in pain during business hours, our aim is to see you the same day where we can. We will ask a few questions to understand how urgent it is, give you advice for the meantime, and prioritise getting you comfortable and out of pain first. From there, we plan any further treatment once the emergency is settled.
For anxious patients, an emergency visit can be stressful, so we use gentle techniques and comfort-focused options to make it easier. Getting you out of pain is the first priority; the longer-term plan can follow.
My approach to dental emergencies
When someone calls in pain, my first goal is simple: relieve the pain and deal with the urgent problem. The detailed treatment plan can wait until you are comfortable.
I also use emergencies as a chance to understand why it happened. A cracked tooth, an abscess or a lost filling is often a sign of something that has been building for a while, and addressing the cause helps prevent the next emergency.
The best dental emergency is the one that never happens, which is why regular check-ups matter. But when an emergency does arrive, act quickly, call early, and let us help.
Request Urgent Dental Care in Bondi Junction
If you are in pain or have had a dental accident during business hours, please call us as early as possible on (02) 9389 2570 and we will do our best to see you the same day. For a knocked-out tooth or significant swelling, contact us straight away rather than waiting.