One of the most common calls we receive at Penrith Dental Care is from patients who aren’t sure whether their dental problem warrants urgent attention. The short answer: if you’re in significant pain, have suffered dental trauma, or have a swelling affecting your face or jaw, call us immediately. Here’s a more detailed guide to recognising a dental emergency.
Definite Dental Emergencies (Seek Care Today)
- Severe or constant toothache: Pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relief, pain that prevents sleep, or pain that is worsening requires same-day assessment.
- Knocked-out tooth: Call us immediately. A knocked-out adult tooth can potentially be reimplanted if treatment begins within 30 minutes. Keep the tooth moist in milk or saliva and come in urgently.
- Dental abscess: Swelling, throbbing pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes indicate dental infection. An abscess can spread to the jaw and neck — this is a medical urgency.
- Facial swelling: Any swelling of the face, cheek, or jaw associated with dental pain is potentially serious. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, go directly to hospital emergency.
- Cracked tooth with severe pain: A crack into the pulp causes intense pain when biting. Requires prompt assessment to determine treatment.
- Significant dental trauma: A blow to the face or mouth causing tooth displacement, fracture, or soft tissue injury requires urgent assessment.
Urgent But Not Emergency (Seek Care Within 24–48 Hours)
- Lost filling causing sharp edges or significant sensitivity
- Broken tooth with sharp edges irritating soft tissue
- Lost or damaged crown on a prepared tooth
- Significant gum pain or swelling around a wisdom tooth
- Broken orthodontic wire causing soft tissue irritation
Can Wait for a Regular Appointment
- Mild sensitivity that doesn’t affect daily activities
- A very small chip to a tooth with no sensitivity or sharp edge
- Discolouration without any pain
- Food stuck between teeth (use floss or an interdental brush to dislodge)
First Aid While Waiting for Your Appointment
For toothache: Rinse with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain relief, apply a cold pack to the outside of your cheek.
For a knocked-out tooth: Handle only by the crown, rinse gently in milk, try to reinsert in socket or store in milk, seek care within 30 minutes.
For a cracked tooth: Rinse gently, avoid biting on the affected side, take pain relief if needed.
For a knocked-out crown: Keep it clean and bring it with you. Do not use household glues.
Book Your Emergency Appointment in Penrith
Dental emergency? Call Penrith Dental Care immediately on (02) 4733 1197. We reserve appointments daily for urgent cases. For guidance on dental emergencies visit Healthdirect Australia on dental emergencies.