Go BackDoes a chipped tooth count as a dental emergency? Is that pain in your jaw bad enough to book a same-day appointment, or can it wait until after the weekend?
Knowing what counts as a dental emergency is the difference between getting the care you need and suffering in silence while the problem gets worse.
There are three levels of dental urgency. Being able to spot the signs of a dental emergency – vs. what can wait until a general dentistry appointment or be managed at home – means you can make the right call for yourself and your family.
Thousands of Australians Delay Urgent Dental Care
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates that 1 in 5 Australian adults with natural teeth (19%) experienced a toothache in the last 12 months. However, there were around 88,600 potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPH) for dental conditions in 2023–24. Children aged 5–9 had the highest rates of PPH due to dental conditions.
If you are on the fence about whether to book an emergency dental appointment, call Dental 359 on 1300 625 625. We’ll help you work out how quickly you need to be seen. It costs nothing to call, and it could prevent a trip to the emergency room.
Three Levels of Dental Urgency
The question “Do I need an emergency dentist?” is really a question about timing. In other words, if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, the question is when you should see a dentist, not if.
Some symptoms should be assessed as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Others can wait a few days or may be manageable at home until an appointment is available.
Level 1: Call Now for Same-Day Advice
Some things almost always count as a dental emergency. Contact a dentist immediately if you have:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Visible swelling of the face or jaw
- An adult tooth that’s been knocked out
- Bleeding from the mouth that won’t stop
These are the clearest signs of a dental emergency requiring same-day assessment. Call Dental 359 on 1300 625 625.
Level 2: Book an Urgent Appointment Within 48 Hours
Arrange an urgent appointment if you have:
- A cracked or broken tooth that hurts
- A lost filling or crown that’s now sensitive
- Localised swelling or gum abscess with no facial swelling
- Strong temperature sensitivity that continues after the trigger is gone
These may not require hospital care, but they should not be left for a week.
Level 3: Book Within 1 to 2 Weeks
A standard appointment is usually appropriate for:
- A chipped tooth with no pain
- A lost crown with no sensitivity
- Mild gum bleeding when brushing
- Intermittent sensitivity that settles quickly
These issues still deserve professional attention, even if they don’t carry the same urgency as severe pain, spreading swelling, trauma or uncontrolled bleeding.
Symptoms That Need Same-Day Attention
Severe Tooth Pain That Won’t Go Away
A severe toothache may suggest decay has reached the inner part of the tooth, where the nerve and blood supply sit. It may also indicate an infection or dental abscess.
You may notice constant aching, pressure or throbbing. The pain might wake you during the night, make it difficult to eat, or continue despite over-the-counter pain relief.
Pain at this level should be assessed on the same day. It usually has an underlying cause that will not resolve with pain medication alone. Depending on what your dentist finds, treatment might involve repairing the tooth, relieving pressure, root canal treatment or removing a tooth that cannot be predictably restored.
While arranging care, you might consider taking pain relief if it is suitable for you. Always follow the packet instructions and ask a pharmacist or doctor first – especially if you are pregnant, have allergies, take blood-thinning medication or have a medical condition that might interact with pain reliever use.
Pain relief does not treat the tooth. It only makes the short wait for an emergency appointment more bearable.
Facial Swelling Near a Tooth or Jaw
Swelling of the face or jaw linked to a tooth counts as a dental emergency in almost every case. It may indicate that an infection has moved beyond the tooth and into the surrounding tissues.
You might notice swelling in the cheek, beneath the jaw or close to the eye. The area may feel tender, firm or warm.
Don’t wait to see if swelling reduces on its own. Call Dental 359 on 1300 625 625. If we can’t see you on the same day, we will advise whether you should attend a hospital emergency department.
Go directly to an emergency department or call 000 if the swelling is affecting your breathing, swallowing or speech, or if there is swelling around the eye or neck. These symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
A Tooth Has Been Knocked Out
It may be possible to reimplant a knocked-out adult tooth. Your chances of success are highest when your dentist can see you as quickly as possible, ideally within the hour.
Do:
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part you normally see), not the root
- If it’s dirty, give it a quick and gentle rinse in milk or saline
- Store it in milk or tuck it inside your cheek* to keep it moist
- Get to a dentist as fast as you can
Don’t:
- Scrub the tooth or scrape anything off the root
- Store it in water
- Let it dry out
One important note: this advice is for adult teeth, what dentists call an “avulsed tooth”. A knocked-out baby (deciduous) tooth is handled differently and shouldn’t be put back in. If it’s a child’s baby tooth, call us for guidance first.
*Do not place the tooth between the cheek and gum of a young child, an unconscious person or anyone who may swallow it.
Uncontrolled Bleeding From the Mouth
Gentle, steady pressure is the first step for most bleeding. Place a clean piece of gauze or cloth over the area and hold firm pressure for about 20 minutes without lifting it to check.
If the bleeding hasn’t eased after that, you need same-day dental or medical attention.
Bleeding can occur for many reasons, such as after an extraction, or from an injury to the gums, tongue or cheek.
If the bleeding is heavy or the result of an injury or accident, go straight to a hospital emergency department. Serious trauma and heavy bleeding are better handled there than in a dental chair.
Call 000 if blood is flowing into the throat or the person is having difficulty breathing.
Symptoms That Need Attention Within 48 Hours
A Tooth Has Cracked or Broken and Is Painful
A cracked or broken tooth may expose the layers beneath the enamel. If it hurts, it could mean the damage is heading toward the pulp, the living tissue and nerve in the middle of the tooth.
Pain when biting, releasing your bite, or drinking something hot or cold is a signal worth paying attention to. The longer a painful crack is left, the more involved the treatment can become.
Call us and describe what happened. We’ll ask about your pain, whether there was an injury, and how much tooth has broken. This helps us decide whether you need to be seen the same day or within 48 hours.
In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side and stay away from very hot or cold foods. Keep any broken fragment and bring it to the appointment.
Sensitivity After Losing a Filling or Crown
When a filling or crown comes out, part of the tooth that was previously covered becomes exposed. It can become sensitive to air, temperature and pressure.
Sensitivity suggests the tooth needs protection reasonably quickly, although it is not usually a medical emergency.
- Arrange an appointment within 48 hours
- Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on that side
- Keep the crown if you still have it
Your dentist will need to examine both the crown and the tooth before deciding whether it can be re-cemented. If your crown has come off, it’s best to contact your dentist and arrange an appointment as soon as possible. A temporary dental cement from the pharmacy can help cover and protect the exposed surface in the short term if needed, but this should not replace seeking an earlier dental appointment.
Localised Swelling or an Abscess Without Facial Swelling
A small lump or swelling on the gum beside a tooth may be a localised dental abscess. You might also notice tenderness, pressure, pus or an unpleasant taste.
This is different to swelling that has spread into the face, cheek or jaw, which counts as a dental emergency requiring same-day attention.
A localised abscess still needs proper treatment, usually within 48 hours. Dental work and, if appropriate, antibiotics may be used to clear the infection at its source.
Do not squeeze or poke the swelling. Call sooner if it grows or facial swelling develops, or if your pain increases.
Severe Temperature Sensitivity That Lingers
Ordinary sensitivity caused by exposed root surfaces, worn enamel or minor irritation should disappear when the source goes away.
Sensitivity is concerning when it continues for 30 seconds or longer after the hot or cold source has gone.
Persistent or worsening sensitivity should be assessed within 48 hours. Your dentist can test the tooth and take an X-ray if needed. The aim is to identify the cause before symptoms become more difficult to manage.
Symptoms That Can Wait But Shouldn’t Be Ignored
A Chipped Tooth With No Pain
A small chip with no pain is not likely to put the tooth at risk in the short term. It’s still worth your dentist taking a look to determine whether it needs smoothing, a filling, bonding or another type of restoration.
Even a painless chip may leave a sharp edge that irritates your cheek or tongue. Book within one to two weeks, and you can always call us earlier if you are concerned about a chipped tooth.
A Lost Crown With No Sensitivity
A crown can come loose due to weakened cement or decay developing around the edge.
When there is no pain or sensitivity, this is generally not an immediate emergency. It still needs re-cementing or replacing before long, so book as soon as you can.
Over-the-counter dental cement can hold things over in the meantime.
Gum Bleeding That Isn’t Severe
A bit of bleeding when you brush or floss is common. It’s usually a sign of gum inflammation rather than a dental emergency.
Book an appointment if bleeding persists for several days, happens without brushing, is accompanied by pain, swelling or a bad taste, or it has been more than six months since your previous dental visit. Your dentist or hygienist can examine the gum and check for gingivitis, periodontitis or another cause.
What Is Not a Dental Emergency?
Understanding what counts as a dental emergency also means being clear about what usually does not require same-day contact.
These symptoms can usually wait for a regular appointment:
- Mild tooth sensitivity that comes and goes
- A broken or lost retainer with no pain
- Staining or discolouration
- Cosmetic concerns that aren’t causing you any discomfort
These are all worth raising at your next regular appointment, and they’re all things we can help with.
Our teeth whitening page explains the options for dealing with discolouration. However, discolouration that appears suddenly or follows an injury should be examined, as it may require more attention.
What to Do While You’re Waiting to Be Seen
Your GP or dental care team are best-placed to provide personalised advice depending on your situation. In general, though, there are a few things you can do to manage discomfort while you wait for your dentist appointment:
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if appropriate and safe, following packet instructions
- Choose soft foods and chew away from the affected tooth
- Avoid very hot, cold, sugary or hard foods
- Use a cold compress against the outside of the face for injury-related swelling
- Keep broken tooth fragments or a dislodged crown and bring them with you
- Continue gentle brushing unless your dentist has told you otherwise
Emergency Dental Care at Dental 359 Subiaco
Knowing what counts as a dental emergency helps you stay calm in a crisis. The next step is knowing who to call for care.
We have emergency appointments during practice hours (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm) in our purpose-built clinic at 359 Rokeby Road.
Outside practice hours for ‘Level 1’ symptoms, or when an injury affects breathing, swallowing or consciousness, call 000 or go to a hospital emergency department.
If you’re not sure how urgent your situation is, calling 1300 625 625 is the fastest way to find out. We’ll ask a few questions and tell you whether you need to come in today, in the next couple of days, or within a fortnight.