Unfortunately, accidents and unexpected situations can sometimes cause serious damage to your teeth. At Takapuna Dentists, we are fully equipped to provide prompt and effective emergency dental care when you need it most.
Our skill and expertise mean we can quickly manage urgent dental problems, helping to relieve pain and prevent further complications. Emergency dentistry may be required for a variety of issues that need immediate attention, ensuring your oral health is protected without delay.
Toothache is the most common dental emergency and is often related to changes in the pulp of the tooth.
Reversible pulpitis
Causes short-lasting pain, usually mild to moderate in severity.
Common triggers include hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Does not usually disturb sleep and is well localised—the patient can often identify the affected tooth.
Treatment usually involves removing decay and restoring the tooth with a filling or crown to preserve vitality.
Irreversible pulpitis
Causes severe, prolonged pain lasting minutes to hours, sometimes waking you from sleep.
Pain may worsen when biting, and occasionally improve with cold water.
Painkillers are often ineffective.
The tooth will require root canal treatment or extraction to resolve the problem.
If left untreated, both types of pulpitis may progress to a dental abscess, leading to swelling, fever, and—in severe cases—hospitalisation.
Other causes of toothache include dentinal sensitivity, gum disease, chipped or lost fillings, abrasion, and gum recession.
Teeth may break for several reasons, including decay, trauma, or biting hard or sticky foods.
Prompt dental care is essential, as early intervention can significantly improve the outcome.
The gum covering a wisdom tooth can become inflamed and infected.
Early stage: discomfort may be managed with cleaning and antiseptic rinses.
Advanced stage: infection may cause swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, and/or swallowing. Antibiotics are often required at this stage.
Severe cases: hospitalisation may be necessary.
If you suspect infection, arrange an appointment immediately. Antibiotics may be prescribed to control the infection initially, followed by extraction of the offending tooth if needed.
If you lose a filling or crown, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
The tooth may or may not be painful, but leaving it exposed increases the risk of further problems or decay.
Loss may indicate an underlying issue, such as dental decay.
If no decay is present, a crown can often be recemented during the same visit.
Lost fillings typically require replacement, either with a temporary or permanent restoration.
Some discomfort, swelling, and tenderness are normal for 3–5 days following an extraction and usually respond well to anti-inflammatories or pain relief.
If pain is severe and worsens over time, you may have a dry socket, where the protective blood clot has broken down, leaving bone exposed. This condition requires further treatment—and sometimes antibiotics—to allow proper healing.
A dental emergency is any situation involving severe pain, bleeding, swelling, trauma, or injury to the teeth, gums, or mouth that requires immediate attention from a dentist.
If a tooth is knocked out, handle it by the crown (top), avoid touching the root, rinse it gently in water (do not scrub), and try to place it back in the socket. If this is not possible, keep it in milk or saliva and seek dental care immediately.
Rinse your mouth with warm water, use dental floss to remove any trapped debris, take over-the-counter pain relief if suitable, and avoid placing aspirin directly on the tooth or gums. Contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Yes, swelling in the mouth, gums, or face can indicate infection and may require urgent dental care. Seek immediate attention, especially if you have fever or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and save any broken pieces if possible. Avoid eating hard foods and see your dentist as soon as possible for assessment and treatment.
