Dental Emergencies – Sunshine Coast

CALL FOR SAME DAY APPOINTMENT – (07) 5479 5522

Same-day appointments may not be available due to high demand.

Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can happen when you least expect it – whether it’s a sudden toothache in the middle of the night, a knocked tooth during a weekend sports game, or a painful abscess that just won’t wait. At Currey & Jorgensen Dentistry, we understand that dental emergencies cause real distress, and we’re here to provide fast, compassionate emergency dental care when you need it most.

Our experienced team treats patients of all ages, from children with a dental injury to adults experiencing severe pain, infection or dental trauma. We offer same-day appointments so you can get out of pain and back to good health as quickly as possible.

Call us today on (07) 5479 5522 to make an appointment.

Toothache

Toothache is one of the most common reasons patients seek emergency dental care. The pain can range from a dull, throbbing ache to sharp, shooting pain whenever you bite down. A toothache is often a sign of an underlying problem such as decay, infection or an abscess at the root of the tooth.

What Should I Do If I Have Toothache?

Start by gently flossing around the affected tooth and rinse your mouth with warm water – sometimes impacted food can cause discomfort. If the pain persists, contact us to arrange an emergency appointment. Apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek or use a warm salt water rinse to handle the pain until you see your dentist. Do not place aspirin directly on your gums, as this can burn the tissue.

When Does a Toothache Require Urgent Care?

If your toothache is accompanied by facial swelling, fever, or if you feel generally unwell, please contact us straightaway. You may have a dental abscess – a serious oral infection that requires urgent dental treatment to prevent it from spreading. An untreated abscess can become a medical emergency, so it is important to seek care immediately.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Having a tooth knocked out is a serious dental injury, but if you act quickly, there is a good chance your dentist can save the tooth and replant it into the socket successfully. This type of dental trauma occurs most often during contact sports, falls and accidents.

What Should I Do If a Tooth Is Knocked Out?

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part). Avoid touching the root.
2. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline solution. Do not scrub it or use soap – keep the tooth clean without damaging the root surface.
3. Try to place the tooth back into the socket immediately and hold it in place by gently biting on a clean cloth.
4. If you can’t reinsert the knocked tooth, store it in a container of milk or keep it inside your cheek to keep it moist.
5. Contact us immediately – time is critical. The best outcomes occur when the tooth is replanted within 30 minutes of the injury.

For children who lose a permanent tooth through injury, the same steps apply. If it’s a baby tooth, do not attempt to replant it – contact your dentist for advice on what dental care is required.

Dental Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of severe infection that can form at the root of a tooth or in the gums. It typically causes persistent pain along with swelling, a bad taste in your mouth and sometimes fever. A dental abscess will not resolve on its own – it requires professional treatment to drain the infection and prevent it from spreading to other areas of your mouth, jaw or body.

What Should I Do?

Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution several times a day to help draw the infection toward the surface and provide some relief. Do not attempt to pop or drain the abscess yourself. Contact our clinic as soon as possible – untreated oral infections can become serious medical emergencies that may need hospital care.

Chipped, Cracked or Broken Teeth

Chips, cracks and fractures can happen from biting down on something hard, a fall, or a sporting injury. Even a small chip needs attention – your teeth are protected by a tough outer layer of enamel, and any damage to the tooth can leave it vulnerable to decay and infection.

What Should I Do?

Save any broken tooth fragments and bring them to your appointment. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean away debris. If there’s swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek. For bleeding, use clean gauze and apply gentle pressure until it stops. If bleeding from the mouth or lip continues for more than twenty minutes, contact our dental clinic or visit the emergency department at your nearest hospital.

Fractures that extend below the gum line or into the root of the tooth may require more complex dental treatment, such as a crown or root canal therapy. Your dentist will assess the damage and provide the most effective care to save the tooth wherever possible.

Lost Filling or Crown

If you lose a filling or a crown comes loose, the exposed tooth can become sensitive and vulnerable to further damage or decay. It is important to see your dentist promptly to have it repaired or replaced before the condition worsens.

What Can I Do Until My Appointment?

You can temporarily cover the cavity with a small piece of sugar-free chewing gum or use over-the-counter temporary dental cement to hold a loose crown in place. Avoid chewing on the affected side and contact us to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. Delaying treatment may cause additional problems, including tooth infection that could require root canal therapy.

Broken Braces or Wires

Any breakage to orthodontic appliances should be professionally repaired to avoid delaying your treatment. If a wire has broken, try using the eraser end of a pencil to gently push it away from your cheek, lip or gums. You can also cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax, gauze or a cotton wool ball. Do not cut the wire, as there’s a risk of swallowing or inhaling it. Contact your orthodontist to arrange a repair appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common types of dental emergencies?

The most common dental emergencies we treat include severe toothache, a knocked tooth, chipped or broken teeth, dental abscess, lost fillings or crowns, injury to the mouth or jaw, and uncontrolled bleeding from the gums. Dental trauma from sporting injuries and falls is also very common, particularly in children and teenagers. Fractures of the teeth and jaw can also occur during accidents. If you’re unsure whether your situation requires emergency dental care, contact our clinic, and our team can provide advice.

How can I recognise the signs of a dental emergency?

Signs that you may need to seek urgent dental care include severe or persistent tooth pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication, noticeable swelling in your face, jaw or gums, bleeding that won’t stop, a tooth that has been knocked out or is very loose, visible fractures or cracks in a tooth, and signs of infection such as fever, pus or a bad taste in your mouth. Any dental injury that causes significant pain or damage, or affects your ability to eat and speak, should be assessed by a dentist as soon as possible.

What steps should I take for a knocked-out tooth?

Time is critical when a permanent tooth is knocked out. Pick the tooth up by the crown – never the root – and gently rinse it clean with milk or saline if it’s dirty. Try to place it back into the socket straight away and hold it in place by biting down on a clean cloth. If you can’t reinsert it, keep the tooth moist by storing it in milk or holding it inside your cheek. Contact us immediately, as the best chance of saving the tooth occurs within the first 30 minutes of the injury. Quick action and immediate dental treatment can make the difference between saving and losing the tooth permanently.

When is it essential to seek emergency dental care?

You should seek immediate care if you have a knocked-out tooth, uncontrolled bleeding, a dental abscess with facial swelling or fever, severe pain that isn’t responding to medication, or any injury to the teeth, mouth or jaw. These conditions can worsen quickly and may lead to permanent damage or more serious medical complications if left untreated. When in doubt, contact our dental practice – it’s always better to be seen and assessed by your dentist than to wait and risk further problems.

What preventative measures can I take to avoid dental emergencies?

The best ways to prevent dental emergencies include maintaining a thorough daily oral hygiene routine, attending regular check-up appointments with your dentist, wearing a custom mouthguard when playing sports to prevent dental injury, and avoiding habits like chewing ice, hard lollies or using your teeth to open things. Regular dental care allows your dentist to identify early signs of decay, damage or infection and treat them before they become urgent. Taking these steps can save you from experiencing unnecessary pain, tooth loss and costly emergency dental treatment.