In pain now? Call (02) 9723 5757. Describe what's happening and our team will triage you honestly. If you need to be seen today, we'll move things to make it happen.

What counts as a dental emergency

  • Severe toothache: especially throbbing pain, or pain that wakes you at night
  • Knocked-out or displaced tooth: minutes matter; see below
  • Chipped or fractured tooth: particularly if it's sharp or sensitive
  • Facial swelling: may signal an abscess that needs urgent attention
  • Lost crown or filling, bleeding after an extraction, or trauma from sport

Knocked-out adult tooth: the golden hour

  • Hold the tooth by the crown, never the root
  • If dirty, rinse briefly in milk or saline (don't scrub)
  • Reinsert it into the socket if you can, and bite gently on cloth, or store it in milk (not water, not tissue)
  • Get to us within 30–60 minutes if at all possible

Baby teeth are different, don't reinsert them. Call us and we'll guide you.

While you're on your way

Paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed helps most dental pain; a cold compress helps swelling. Avoid heat packs on a swollen face, and never place aspirin against the gum; it burns the tissue.

Swelling affecting your eye or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or trauma with loss of consciousness, go to an emergency department first. Dental follow-up comes after you're safe.