Emergency Dentist Tips: What to Do When Your Tooth Cries “Help!”
Tooth pain has a real talent for terrible timing. Saturday night? Public holiday? Mid-meeting when you’re trying to act like everything’s fine? Yep — that’s when it strikes.
Whether it’s a chipped tooth, throbbing ache, or something that feels deeply unfair, knowing what to do in a dental emergency can save you pain, panic, and potentially your tooth.
Here’s what the Grace Dental Care team recommends when your smile suddenly needs urgent attention.
🦷 Step 1: Don’t Ignore It (Seriously)
If something feels wrong — it probably is. Pain, swelling, bleeding, or a broken filling all mean your mouth is trying to tell you something.
Dental issues rarely fix themselves, and “waiting to see if it gets better” usually just gives the problem more time to worsen.
If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, call us. We’ll let you know how urgent it is and fit you in as quickly as possible.
🧊 Step 2: Manage the Pain & Swelling
While you’re waiting to get to the dentist:
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (follow the instructions, and avoid aspirin if you’re bleeding).
Apply a cold compress to your cheek in 10-minute bursts.
Rinse gently with warm salt water to reduce bacteria and inflammation.
Avoid heat, alcohol, or “DIY fixes” from the internet — trust us, they don’t end well.
🦴 Step 3: If You’ve Knocked a Tooth Out… Act Fast!
Time is everything.
Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part) — never the root.
If it’s clean, gently place it back in the socket and bite down on a soft cloth.
If that’s not possible, store it in milk or saliva (yes, really) and bring it to us within 30 minutes if you can.
The sooner you get to the dentist, the better the chance we can save it.
💡 Step 4: Broken Filling, Crown or Veneer?
Keep any broken piece — it might help us repair it. Avoid chewing on that side and stick to soft foods until you’re seen.
Don’t try to glue anything back on (we know it’s tempting). Household glue and dental enamel are not a love match.
❤️ Step 5: Book Follow-Up Care
Even after we’ve eased the pain, follow-up care ensures the underlying issue is properly fixed. Whether it’s infection, decay, or trauma, early treatment helps prevent more serious complications later.
🌟 The Grace Dental Way
When you call Grace Dental Care with an emergency, you’ll always speak to someone who genuinely wants to help — fast.
We’ll find you the soonest appointment possible and talk you through every step to get you comfortable again.
Because no one should have to “tough out” tooth pain.
In pain right now?
Call Grace Dental Care and let’s get your smile sorted — same-day appointments available for dental emergencies.
