Don’t wait: If you’re suffering a dental emergency, call us now on 9201 9886
No additional fees for emergencies!
Need an emergency dentist? If you have a toothache, sporting accident, chipped or broken tooth or are suffering from pain/swelling anywhere in the jaw/teeth, contact us now. Any pain or swelling in the gums/mouth should be seen by a professional ASAP; we always allow time for emergencies. By promptly addressing your problem we can usually fix the issue sooner, and cost you less money.
You’re in safe hands
Oxford Street Dental is a QIP Accredited Dental Clinic with friendly, experienced Australia-trained dentists & support staff.
This dental information has been medically reviewed by Australian dental surgeon Dr Aran Moorthy, BDS. Dr Moorthy has a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide. Read more about Dr Moorthy here >
Typical problems requiring an emergency dentist visit:
- Toothache – possibly from an infection of a tooth or gum
- Wisdom tooth pain
- Chipped or broken tooth
- Knocked out tooth or teeth
- Post-operative pain
- Gum infections
- Bleeding after tooth extraction that cannot be controlled
- Serious swelling of the mouth that continues to worsen
What to do if you are suffering a dental emergency
If you require an emergency dentist, or think you are having a dental emergency, call the clinic, and talk to our staff. If required, they will schedule an appointment ASAP. We’ll make sure we see you on the day.
If you have a problem after-hours and you feel you can wait, please leave your name and details on our telephone answering service, mentioning that your situation is urgent, and we will make your call a priority the very next day. T: 9201 9886
Knocked out tooth (avulsion)
Pick up your tooth, touching only the wide part of the tooth at the top (crown). If dirty, rinse very lightly to remove any debris. Do not try to remove any tissue that may be attached to the root of the tooth. If you can, try to place the tooth back into the socket – gently – ensuring that it sits the right way around. Call the dentist immediately, keeping the tooth in place by holding it with a finger. If you are unable to put the tooth back in your mouth, place the tooth in a small jar of milk, or a solution of salt water.
N.B.: reinsertion of a knocked out tooth is most successful if completed within the first 30 to 60 minutes after the accident.
Partially knocked out tooth
If your tooth has been only partially knocked out and is loose in your gums, call a dentist as soon as possible. In the interim, take over-the-counter painkillers (if required) and apply a cold compress to the area outside the mouth to minimise swelling and make you feel more comfortable.
Broken braces orthodontic wires
If your orthodontic wire has become broken, use something soft to push it back into place, or cover the end with a cotton tip or orthodontic wax until you can see your orthodontist again. Or, if a bracket has come loose, you can try to temporarily reattach it with some orthodontic wax. Alternatively, just hang onto the bracket and bring it to the dentist for reattachment.
Injury to the inside of your cheek, gums or lips
Often, there is a lot of bleeding when the inside of the mouth is injured. To stop the bleeding, rinse your mouth with warm salty water, then apply a gauze compress to the injured site. You will need to hold it in place for a good 20 minutes. If desired, a cold compress may be applied to the outside of the face. If the bleeding continues, see your dentist immediately. Alternatively, go to the nearest emergency hospital or doctor’s clinic.
Gum abscess or swelling
Also known as a dental abscess, this is a serious infection and can damage the tooth and surrounding teeth and tissues. It is vital that you call a dentist as soon as you become aware of any swelling in your gums. Your dentist can immediately prescribe antibiotics and pain relief to settle the infection before organising a treatment plan to eradicate the problem.
Lost crown or filling
You’ll need to see a dentist if you have lost a crown or filling. In the interim, you can purchase some temporary dental cement from your local pharmacy. If you have lost a crown, the remaining tooth may be quite painful. If so, apply some clove oil to the tooth to numb the pain. Do not use superglue or any other type of glue to try and reattach the crown to your teeth.
Not everything in life runs on time; nobody schedules a “dental emergency”.
That’s why we always schedule time for someone with an emergency. Someone, perhaps, like you.
Call us now, have a chat, and we’ll see you as soon as is necessary.