A dental emergency is any injury, infection or condition affecting your teeth, gums or mouth that needs prompt attention, either to relieve severe pain, control bleeding, treat a spreading infection or save a tooth that is at risk. The word prompt matters. Some problems need care within the hour, some within the day, and some are genuinely fine to book in next week.
Knowing which is which saves teeth, and occasionally more than teeth. Here is how we triage the calls that come into our practice, so you can make the same judgement at home.
What is considered a dental emergency?
If you are wondering what is considered a dental emergency, the test is simple: severe pain, active bleeding, visible infection or a tooth in danger. Any one of those means you should call a dentist the same day.
- Trauma to a tooth, whether adult or baby, from a knock, fall or accident. A knocked-out adult tooth is the most time-critical emergency in dentistry, and the tooth’s survival is measured in minutes, not days
- Severe or persistent toothache, especially pain that wakes you at night or does not respond to over-the-counter pain relief
- A dental abscess: throbbing pain with gum or facial swelling, sometimes with fever or a foul taste
- A broken, cracked or displaced tooth, particularly with an exposed nerve or a loose position in the socket
- Bleeding from the mouth that will not settle with pressure
- A lost filling or crown that is causing pain or has left a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek
What can usually wait a few days
Not everything that feels alarming is urgent. These problems deserve an appointment soon, but they are rarely emergencies on their own:
- A small chip with no pain and no sharp edge
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold that passes in seconds
- A lost filling or crown with no pain (keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side)
- Food stuck between teeth that floss will not shift
- A dull ache that comes and goes without swelling
One caution on that last point. Pain that disappears is not the same as a problem that has resolved. A toothache that suddenly stops can mean the nerve has died, and the infection is still progressing quietly. Mention any recent pain when you book, even if it has passed.
When to go to hospital instead of the dentist
A small number of dental problems belong in a hospital emergency department, because they threaten more than the tooth:
- Swelling of the face, mouth or neck that makes breathing or swallowing difficult
- A suspected broken or dislocated jaw, or facial trauma from an accident
- Bleeding that cannot be controlled with firm pressure
- A high fever with rapidly spreading facial swelling
- Loss of consciousness, chest pain, a seizure or any other medical emergency after an accident. Call 000 straight away.
For everything else, a dentist is the faster and more useful call. Hospital emergency departments generally do not have dentists on staff, so they can manage pain and infection but cannot fix the tooth that caused the problem.
First aid that saves teeth
Knocked-out adult tooth
Handle the tooth by the crown only, never the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. If you can, place it straight back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it. If not, drop it into a glass of milk and get to a dentist immediately. A tooth reimplanted within about 30 to 60 minutes has the best chance of reattaching. A tooth that has been knocked out of position or pushed sideways in the socket is just as time-critical, so early contact with a dentist gives the best chance of a good outcome. Baby teeth are the exception: do not put a baby tooth back in, but do get the child checked.
Toothache and swelling
Rinse with warm salt water, take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed on the packet, and hold a cold compress against the outside of the cheek for swelling. Never place aspirin directly on the gum; it burns the tissue rather than numbing the tooth.
Broken tooth or lost crown
Save every fragment in milk and bring it with you. If a crown comes off intact, keep it safe; it can often be recemented if you resist the urge to glue it back yourself. Household glues damage both the crown and the tooth.
Getting seen quickly on the Sunshine Coast
At Currey & Jorgensen Dentistry we keep time in each day’s schedule for emergency patients at our Alexandra Headland practice. Call (07) 5479 5522 as early as you can, describe what has happened, and reception will fit you in as soon as possible and talk you through first aid for the wait. Same-day appointments may not always be available in busy periods, but the earlier you call, the better your chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a toothache at night a dental emergency?
Pain severe enough to wake you or keep you from sleeping usually points to nerve inflammation or infection, and yes, that warrants a same-day call to your dentist. Overnight, manage with paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed and sleep with your head slightly elevated, which reduces the throbbing. Call when the practice opens.
Is a broken tooth an emergency if it does not hurt?
Not always, but do not sit on it for long. A chip that does not hurt can still expose dentine or hide a crack that lets bacteria reach the nerve. Cover any sharp edge with dental wax from the chemist, avoid chewing on that side, and book within a few days. Pain, looseness or a visible pink centre upgrades it to same-day.
What is considered a dental emergency for a child?
The same core problems as adults: knocked-out or displaced teeth, severe pain, swelling and uncontrolled bleeding. One key difference: a knocked-out baby tooth should not be reimplanted, as it can damage the adult tooth forming underneath. Any dental trauma in a child deserves a check, even when things look fine.
Who do I call for a dental emergency after hours on the Sunshine Coast?
Our practice is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Call (07) 5479 5522 first thing and we will prioritise you. Outside those hours, call our emergency line on (07) 5479 6055 if it is urgent and cannot wait. For general health advice you can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Call 000 or go straight to a hospital emergency department if you have swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, facial trauma or uncontrollable bleeding.
About the Author
Dr Peter Jorgensen, BDSc, Grad Dip Clin Dent (Oral Implants), Principal Dentist
Dr Peter Jorgensen is the principal dentist at Currey & Jorgensen Dentistry (CJ Dentistry) in Alexandra Headland. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Science from the University of Queensland in 1995, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) from the University of Sydney, with a focus on implant dentistry, oral surgery and complex restorative work. He handles implant cases from surgery through to the final restoration, so patients get continuity of care from start to finish.
Peter has called the Sunshine Coast home since 2000 and has a soft spot for intricate crown and bridge work that suits his perfectionist streak. He’s easy to chat with and loves building lasting relationships with patients and their families. He also gives back to the profession as a University of Sydney student mentor, a member of the Australian Osseointegration Society, a board member with the Australian Dental Association Queensland, and a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.