COMMON PROBLEMS
Emergency dental care
Where an oral health issue won’t go away, or grows more severe, it may have become an emergency – requiring immediate medical treatment.
Knowing what to do and where to go could help save your teeth, and prevent further problems. On this page, you’ll learn what constitutes a dental emergency, first aid tips to help you while you get to an emergency dentist, and how to prepare for future accidents.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any oral health issue which is urgent, cannot be treated at home and is likely to get worse if left alone. This includes problems with teeth, gums and any oral cavities.
Chipped or broken teeth after an accident are a common emergency, but other oral health issues (such as toothache, bleeding or abscesses) may become an emergency if left untreated or not well cared for.
Common symptoms of a dental emergency
Pain, often severe.
Loose, chipped or cracked teeth.
Teeth knocked out.
Moderate to severe bleeding.
Facial swelling or swelling in the gums.
Lost or broken fillings or crowns.
Signs of severe infection (including pus and fever).
Severe tissue injury, such as deep cuts or busted lips.
How to know when a dental problem is an emergency
Oral health problems become an emergency when you can’t treat them at home, or the symptoms get worse even with treatment.
For example, you may have bleeding which keeps coming back, or won’t stop. A toothache might persist, and get worse, or spread to other parts of the face. Other symptoms like bad breath, discolouration of certain teeth, swelling or redness on the gums, or signs of infection also persist and get worse.
Of course, broken bones, severe physical damage, severe pain and very high temperature are signs you should go see an emergency medical provider – an emergency dentist, or your local A&E.
Common dental emergencies – and first aid advice
These are some of the most common dental emergencies, or issues requiring urgent treatment.
We’ve provided some first-aid tips, but for all of the below please consider getting to an emergency dentist or A&E as soon as possible – these are not issues which can be treated at home.
1. Toothache
When it’s an emergency
Pain has grown in intensity over time, won’t go away, and can’t be treated at home. You may also be experiencing other symptoms, such as bleeding, swelling, difficulty swallowing or fever.
Temporary first aid tips
Rinse your mouth with warm water, or warm salt water solution.
Floss to remove any trapped debris.
Over-the-counter pain medication may offer short-term pain relief. Always tell your dentist if you’ve recently taken any pain medication.
Try a cold or hot compress on the outside of the face.
Learn more: Toothache
2. Chipped or broken teeth
When it’s an emergency
See a dentist as soon as possible if you have suffered a chip, crack or break to the teeth. Some damage can be restored entirely if you move quickly enough, or otherwise a dentist can look to limit the risk of further problems.
For minor chips, you may not need to come in urgently - but should still see a dentist as soon as possible.
For severe damage, damage causing a lot of pain or bleeding, and damage which extends below the gumline, consider treating it as an emergency to prevent further problems.
Temporary first aid tips
Find and save any broken pieces of your damaged tooth.
Rinse your mouth with warm water, or warm salt water solution.
Apply a cold compress to the outside of the face to help with swelling.
Learn more: Broken or chipped teeth
3. Knocked-out tooth
When it’s an emergency
A tooth which falls out should generally always be treated as an emergency (except in the instance of baby teeth falling out naturally).
Urgently visiting an emergency dentist may help you save the tooth and restore it entirely. Even if this is not possible, a lost tooth is an infection risk and can lead to further complications.
Temporary first aid tips
Find and save the lost tooth, handling it by the crown – not the root.
Rinse the tooth gently with warm water.
Try placing the tooth back in its socket, or else store it in milk.
4. Lost fillings or crowns
When it’s an emergency
A lost filling or crown is not usually considered a dental emergency, but is still a problem which must be addressed as soon as possible. Leaving the issue too long could lead to further complications.
Where losing a filling or crown may become an emergency is where it’s accompanied by an injury which you’re worried about, or severe pain that won’t go away.
Temporary first aid tips
Use dental cement or sugar-free gum to cover the area temporarily.
If you still have the lost crown, you may be able to clean it and place it back over the area while you get to a dentist.
Avoid using the affected tooth.
5. Bleeding or swollen gums
When it’s an emergency
Bleeding is not uncommon in the gums, but excessive, uncontrollable, severe or random bleeding may all be signs of a more severe problem – and that’s an emergency.
Swollen gums are also a common sign of damage or infection and should be treated seriously. Where the swelling is severe, won’t go away, is localised to a specific bump in one area, or leads to significant bleeding when you brush your teeth or eat, consider seeing an emergency dental professional.
Temporary first aid tips
Rinse your mouth with warm water, or warm salt water solution.
Apply gentle pressure with gauze to stop the bleeding and protect the area. Keep it there for up to 30 minutes to see if this helps stop the bleeding.
Do not touch the affected area with your fingers.
Avoid strenuous activity.
Avoid very hot, very cold or hard/spiky foods.
Learn more: Bleeding gums
6. Infections and abscesses
When it’s an emergency
Infection should always be treated seriously, as it can lead to more serious damage to the teeth, jaw and even beyond.
If you experience symptoms of severe pain, pain which won’t go away, difficulty breathing or swallowing, persistent high temperature and other similar signs, consider seeking emergency treatment.
Temporary first aid tips
Rinse your mouth with warm water, or warm salt water solution.
Apple a cold compress to the outside of the face to help with swelling.
Over-the-counter pain medication may offer short-term relief from symptoms of aches and pains. Always tell your dentist if you’ve recently taken any pain medication.
Learn more: Tooth abscess
Being prepared for a future dental emergency
For most Kiwis, dental emergencies aren’t common. That said, accidents do happen and some people are at a higher risk of a dental problem than others.
These are some things to do and think about to ensure you’re ready for a future dental emergency, in the event one does occur.
1. Know your risk
Some Kiwis are at a higher risk of oral health problems than others. If you know you’re in this riskier zone, you can take increased precautions, visit the dentist more frequently for a check-in or just keep a closer eye on your oral health.
Risk factors include:
Smoking or heavy drinking.
High-sugar diet.
History of oral health issues.
Oral health issues in the immediate family.
Certain diseases, e.g. heart disease, diabetes.
Medications which cause dry mouth.
Existing tooth alignment issues (i.e. crowded mouth).
If you’re worried about your oral health risk, consider seeing a dentist to talk about your lifestyle, existing conditions or anything else on your mind. They will be able to help you better understand what to do.
2. Maintain good oral health hygiene
Good oral health habits can keep the risk of a dental emergency down by fighting bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and promoting strong, healthy teeth.
That means regular brushing (twice a day), flossing and visiting the dentist for a check-up at least once a year.
Learn more: How to clean your gums and keep them healthy
3. Create an emergency dental kit
An emergency dental kit includes pain relief, gauze, a small container with a lid (for storing lost teeth or fragments) and the contact information of your nearest emergency dentist.
You may also consider adding dental cement if you’re worried about losing a filling or crown, and pre-made saline solution for rinsing your mouth.
4. Know your emergency dentist
Much like you’d always learn where your nearest A&E is, knowing where your nearest emergency dentist is can save a lot of time and hassle on the day an accident or issue occurs.
Not all dentists offer emergency care, so you can’t just go anywhere.
If you live in Whangārei, Northland, Kowhai Dental is an emergency dentist. We’re at 61 Maunu Road, near SH1.
Need an appointment for a check-up?
Making an appointment is easy: