Dental Emergencies: What to Do and When to See an Emergency Dentist

Written by the team at Anzac Avenue Dental, Kallangur. Last reviewed 11 August 2026.

A dental emergency can be frightening, and what you do in the first few minutes can make a real difference to the outcome. Whether you have a knocked out tooth, a throbbing toothache, a broken tooth, or sudden swelling, this guide walks you through what counts as a dental emergency, the first aid steps to take at home, and when to see an emergency dentist. If you are in Kallangur or the surrounding area and need urgent care, call us on 07 3491 8131 and we will help you as quickly as we can.

In pain or dealing with a dental emergency right now? Call 07 3491 8131

Call 000 or go to a hospital if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, significant facial swelling, or a serious injury to the face or jaw. These need urgent medical care beyond what a dental clinic can provide.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not every dental problem needs to be seen within the hour, but some genuinely do. As a general guide, treat it as urgent if you have severe or worsening pain, a knocked out or badly displaced adult tooth, significant swelling of the face or gums, bleeding that will not stop, or a broken tooth with sharp pain. These situations usually benefit from prompt care, so it is best to call us straight away.

Other issues are uncomfortable but less time critical, such as a small chip with no pain, a dull ache that comes and goes, or a lost filling that is not causing problems. These still need attention, just not necessarily today. If you are ever unsure how serious something is, call and describe your symptoms and we will help you work out how quickly you need to be seen.

Severe Toothache and Dental Abscess

A severe or persistent toothache is one of the most common reasons people call an emergency dentist, and it should not be ignored. Ongoing pain can be a sign of decay reaching the nerve, a cracked tooth, or an infection. A dental abscess, which often shows up as swelling, a bad taste, throbbing pain, or a fever, is a sign of infection that needs prompt treatment because it can spread if left alone.

While you wait to be seen, rinsing gently with warm salt water and taking over the counter pain relief as directed can help ease the discomfort. Depending on the cause, treatment might involve root canal treatment to save the tooth, or in some cases removal. If swelling starts to affect your breathing or swallowing, treat it as a medical emergency and call 000.

Knocked Out Tooth: Act Within the Hour

A knocked out adult tooth is one of the few dental situations where minutes really matter. The sooner the tooth is back in place, the better the chance of saving it, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes. Pick the tooth up by the crown, which is the part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline rather than scrubbing it.

If you can, gently place the tooth back into its socket and hold it there by biting on a clean cloth. If reinserting it is not possible, keep it moist in a small container of milk, or tucked inside your cheek, and bring it with you. Then call us and come in as quickly as you can. For a child's knocked out baby tooth, do not try to put it back, as this can harm the adult tooth developing underneath. Instead, contact our children's dentistry team for advice.

Chipped, Cracked or Broken Teeth

A chipped or broken tooth can range from a minor cosmetic issue to a painful emergency, depending on how deep the damage goes. If a piece has broken off, keep it if you can and bring it with you. Rinse your mouth with warm water, use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling, and try to avoid chewing on that side until you are seen.

Cracks are not always visible but can worsen over time, so it is worth having any broken tooth checked promptly. Depending on the extent of the damage, treatment may involve a filling, a dental crown to protect and rebuild the tooth, or other options we will talk through with you.

Lost Filling or Crown

Losing a filling or a crown is usually not as urgent as a knocked out tooth, but it does leave the tooth exposed and more vulnerable, so it is best not to leave it too long. If your crown has come off in one piece, keep it safe and bring it in, as it can often be re-cemented. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can cover the area in the meantime, and it helps to avoid chewing on that tooth and to keep it clean.

Book in as soon as you can so we can protect the tooth and restore it properly, whether that means a new filling or replacing the crown.

Bleeding, Swelling and Mouth Injuries

Injuries to the lips, tongue, cheeks or gums can bleed a lot, which is often more alarming than it is serious. Clean the area gently, then apply steady pressure with a clean piece of gauze or cloth for around 10 to 15 minutes. A cold compress on the outside can help slow bleeding and reduce swelling.

If bleeding does not settle after sustained pressure, or the injury is deep, seek urgent care. And as noted above, any swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or a significant injury to the face or jaw, should be treated as a medical emergency by calling 000 or going to a hospital.

First Aid Steps Before You Reach Us

Whatever the situation, a few simple steps can keep things stable until you are seen:

• Stay calm and call us on 07 3491 8131 so we can guide you.
• For a knocked out adult tooth, keep it moist in milk and see us within 30 to 60 minutes.
• Use warm salt water rinses and over the counter pain relief taken as directed for pain.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to ease swelling.
• Save any broken tooth pieces or a lost crown and bring them with you.
• Call 000 for difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or major facial injury.

Frequently Asked Questions