Dental Emergency? What to Do in the First Hour
In short: In a dental emergency, first check for danger signs. Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won’t stop, or a head or jaw injury means calling 000 or going to hospital. For a knocked-out adult tooth, hold it by the crown, put it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and see a dentist within 30–60 minutes. For toothache, a broken tooth or a swollen gum, call a dentist as early as you can that day. In Perth CBD, Perth Prime Dental offers same-day emergency appointments where possible for $99: (08) 9325 4175.
Step 1: Is it a hospital emergency?
Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is swelling of the face or neck that affects breathing, swallowing or opening an eye; bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure; a possible broken jaw or head injury; or fever with fast-spreading facial swelling.
Everything else on this page is urgent but not life-threatening. A dentist is the right place for it, ideally the same day.
Knocked-out adult tooth: act in the first hour
A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of being saved if it goes back in quickly, ideally within 30–60 minutes.
- Pick it up by the crown (the white part). Don’t touch the root: the living cells on it help the tooth reattach.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. Don’t scrub it, use soap, wrap it in tissue or let it dry out.
- Put it back in the socket, facing the right way, and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If you can’t, keep it in milk (not water) and get to a dentist straight away.
Baby teeth are different: don’t put a knocked-out baby tooth back in, as it can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Keep it and see a dentist.
Broken, chipped or cracked tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and keep any pieces. Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax, and chew on the other side. If there’s pain, bleeding from inside the tooth or a large piece missing, see a dentist that day, as the nerve may be exposed. A small chip with no pain can usually wait a few days.
Severe toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to remove any trapped food. Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet, and use a cold pack on the cheek. Never put aspirin on the gum, because it burns the tissue. Throbbing pain, pain that wakes you at night or pain with swelling often means infection in the nerve, which may need root canal treatment or an extraction.
Swollen gum or face, or a suspected abscess
An abscess is an infection, and it won’t go away on its own. Use a cold pack, not heat, and don’t try to burst it. Antibiotics can help control spreading infection, but the cause still needs treating at the tooth. See a dentist the same day. If the swelling spreads quickly, affects your eye, breathing or swallowing, or you have a fever, go to hospital.
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown somewhere safe and bring it with you, as it can sometimes be re-cemented. A temporary dental filling kit from a pharmacy can protect the tooth for a short time. Don’t use superglue. If there’s no pain, book within a few days; if it’s painful or sharp, call the same day.
Bleeding after a tooth extraction
Bite firmly on folded clean gauze over the socket for about 30 minutes without checking it. A damp black tea bag can also help. Avoid rinsing, spitting, hot drinks, smoking and drinking through a straw for the first day. If bleeding is heavy or doesn’t slow after this, call the dentist who did the extraction, or go to hospital out of hours. See our home care instructions.
What not to do
| Don’t | Why |
|---|---|
| Store a knocked-out tooth in water | Water damages the root cells; milk or saline is better |
| Put aspirin on the gum | It causes a chemical burn |
| Put heat on a swelling | It can encourage infection to spread |
| Glue a crown back with superglue | It can damage the tooth and make the crown harder to refit |
| Wait to see if swelling settles | Dental infections can spread; they need treating at the source |
Getting seen today in Perth CBD
Perth Prime Dental keeps time for emergencies every day we’re open: Monday to Thursday 7:30am–7:30pm, Friday 7:30am–5pm and Saturday 8am–1pm. An emergency appointment is $99 and includes an examination, X-rays, clinical photos and any diagnostic tests, with a written quote before any treatment starts. We often relieve pain at the same visit. We’re in London Court, 1/58 St Georges Terrace, a short walk from Perth Underground. All health funds are accepted, with on-the-spot HICAPS claiming.
We’re not a 24-hour clinic. Out of hours, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24/7 nurse advice, or go to an emergency department for the danger signs above.
Call (08) 9325 4175 Book online
Frequently asked questions
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Often, if it’s an adult tooth and it goes back in quickly. The best chance is within the first 30–60 minutes, with the tooth kept moist in milk or saline (or back in the socket) on the way.
Should I go to hospital for a toothache?
Only if there are danger signs such as swelling affecting breathing, swallowing or your eye, or a fever with spreading swelling. Hospitals can manage pain and serious infection, but the tooth itself usually needs a dentist.
How much is an emergency dentist in Perth CBD?
At Perth Prime Dental, an emergency appointment is $99, including an examination, X-rays, clinical photos and diagnostic tests. Any treatment is quoted separately, and nothing goes ahead without your agreement.
Is a broken tooth an emergency?
It’s urgent if it hurts, bleeds or a large piece is missing: see a dentist the same day. A small chip with no pain or sensitivity can usually wait a few days.
General first-aid information only, not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re unsure, call a dentist, healthdirect (1800 022 222) or 000 in an emergency.
