Dental Emergencies
Need urgent dental care?
Dental emergencies can be painful and stressful. If you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, bleeding or have damaged or knocked out a tooth, contact us as soon as possible.
We’ll help you understand what to do next and arrange care as quickly as we can.
During clinic hours
Call us on 07 839 5831
Not currently a patient?
For after-hours dental emergencies, please call the after-hours on-call dentist on 027 492 3475.
After hours and weekends
If you are an existing patient of Dental Excellence and have a dental emergency after hours, please call:
Dr Fiona Bailey — 021 629 521
Dr Neil Piccione — 027 348 6761
Severe swelling or difficulty breathing?
If you have severe swelling of the face or neck, a fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call 111 if you are having difficulty breathing. Do not wait for a routine dental appointment.
Bleeding
If your mouth is bleeding following an injury or dental treatment, apply firm pressure to the area with clean gauze or a folded clean cloth for at least 10 minutes.
If the bleeding is heavy, does not slow down, or you are concerned, contact us or seek urgent medical attention.
Loose or displaced tooth
If a tooth has been pushed out of position following an injury, contact a dentist as soon as possible. Avoid moving or wiggling the tooth unnecessarily.
If you can, gently guide it back towards its normal position without forcing it, then seek urgent dental care.
Knocked-out tooth
If an adult tooth has been knocked out, time matters. Hold the tooth by the crown — the white part you normally see — and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing.
If possible, carefully place it back into position. If that isn’t possible, keep it moist in milk and contact a dentist immediately.
Do not try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in.
Lost filling or crown
A lost filling or crown can leave a tooth sensitive or vulnerable to further damage. Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side if possible, and contact us to arrange an appointment.
If you still have the crown, keep it safe and bring it with you. Do not use household glue to put it back in place.
Toothache
Tooth pain can have a number of causes and often needs treatment rather than simply waiting for it to settle. Contact us for an appointment as soon as possible.
Over-the-counter pain relief may help in the meantime. Follow the directions on the packaging and ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure what is suitable for you. Do not place painkillers directly against the tooth or gum.
Abscess or gum boil
A dental abscess may appear as a painful swelling or small lump on the gum and can sometimes cause a bad taste, fever or facial swelling.
Contact us as soon as possible. Even if the pain eases or the swelling drains, the underlying infection may still need treatment.
Swelling
Swelling around a tooth, gum, jaw or face can be a sign of infection and should be assessed promptly. Contact us as soon as possible for advice.
If swelling is spreading, you have a fever, feel very unwell, or have difficulty swallowing or breathing, seek urgent medical attention immediately.
Ulcers or sore areas
Most mouth ulcers settle on their own, but persistent or particularly painful ulcers should be checked.
Contact us if an ulcer or sore area has not healed within two weeks, keeps returning, or is causing you concern.
Wisdom tooth pain
Wisdom teeth can sometimes cause pain, swelling or infection in the gum around the tooth. Keep the area as clean as you comfortably can and contact us if symptoms persist or worsen.
If you develop facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or feel unwell, seek prompt care.
Broken or chipped tooth
If you break or chip a tooth, contact us as soon as possible. Even if it isn’t painful, the tooth may need treatment to prevent further damage.
If you have any broken pieces, keep them and bring them with you. Avoid chewing on the affected tooth until it has been assessed.
Broken dentures
If your denture breaks, cracks or becomes uncomfortable, stop wearing it if it is causing pain or injury and contact us for advice.
Keep all broken pieces and avoid trying to repair the denture with household glue, as this can make professional repair more difficult.
Not sure if it’s an emergency?
If you’re in pain, something doesn’t feel right, or you’re simply unsure whether you need urgent care, give us a call.
We can talk through what’s happening and help you work out the best next step.
