What counts as a dental emergency?
- Severe or throbbing tooth pain
- A knocked-out or loose adult tooth
- A broken, cracked or chipped tooth
- Swelling in your gums or face, or signs of infection such as an abscess
- A lost filling or crown
- Bleeding that won’t stop after an injury or a tooth removal
Not sure if it’s urgent? Call us and we’ll help you decide.
What to do until you see us
Knocked-out tooth
Pick it up by the top, not the root. If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or water without scrubbing. Try to put it back in its socket and bite gently on a clean cloth, or keep it in a cup of milk. Then call us right away. Don’t put a baby tooth back in.
Toothache
Rinse with warm water and floss gently to remove anything caught between your teeth. A cold compress on your cheek can ease swelling. Don’t put aspirin or other painkillers directly on your gums.
Broken or chipped tooth
Save any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water, and hold a cold compress to your cheek to keep swelling down.
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you. Avoid chewing on that side until we see you.
Swelling and after-hours emergencies
Facial swelling can be a sign of infection. If swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing, or you’ve had a serious injury to your face or head, go to the nearest hospital emergency department right away.
For other problems outside office hours, call us as early as you can and we’ll do our best to see you promptly.
Gentle care, even in a hurry
Emergencies are stressful. We explain what’s happening and your options before we start, and gentle tools like the Waterlase laser can often mean less drilling and fewer needles.
Related care
In pain right now?
Call us as early as possible and we’ll do our best to see you promptly during office hours. For less urgent problems, you can book online.