The latest dental technology and 30 years of experience means we are skilled at handling all emergencies including toothache, gum ache, denture repairs, broken or chipped teeth and painful wisdom teeth.
Relief is only a call or click away.
For after-hours contact, complete the Emergency eForm. This eForm service is monitored regularly – in most cases we will respond without delay.
We cater for the unexpected and leave spaces in our schedule to accommodate it without compromising regular patient treatment.
We understand and can help with the stress and anxiety that’s often at the core of long term dental problems.
Before contacting us….
Note down the history of the signs and symptoms you are experiencing as we will look to find out more about these from you.
Having the history of your pain clear in your mind will help us determine what your problem likely is, what is the likely best course of action, and the length of appointment that you’ll require when you come to see us.
Having the history of your pain clear in your mind will help us determine what your problem likely is, what is the likely best course of action, and the length of appointment that you’ll require when you come to see us.
If you need Emergency Pain relief before you see us, CLICK HERE
What are your symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of most dental pain usually follow a predictable and recognisable pattern.
Below you will find a symptom list drawn from dental pain emergencies we regularly treat.
- Match your symptoms to those in the list and from there…
- Find further information about what are the likely causes and treatment for your pain.
Pain on or after chewing
If the pain is in your teeth the trigger and the duration of any lingering pain is important and informs just how damaged the nerve is:
Moderate dental decay or a broken filling
If the trigger is hot and cold food or drinks and the pain lasts less than 30 seconds, this generally does not suggest a serious problem. It’s likely there’s an area of decay or a fractured filling that requires routine dental repair.
Cracked tooth
Cracked teeth suffer sharp pain when chewing and may experience extreme pain with hot or cold foods or drinks. The symptoms generally first appear quite suddenly.
Sinus toothache
If the pain is in the upper back teeth and they are tender to bite on, you may have a sinus toothache.
Irreversible Pulpitis
The most common trigger is hot and cold food or drinks.
If the pain lingers longer than 30 seconds, this usually suggests the nerve is irreversibly damaged or dying.
The pain from a dying nerve can be quite severe and will require either Root Canal Treatment (RCT) to save it, or Extraction.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
This is a rare condition characterised by episodes of intense pain. This sharp shock-like pain initially lasts a few seconds and can be identical to pain caused by cracked teeth or dental abscesses.
If you have lingering pain just in front of your ear, or in the cheeks or temple you are likely suffering TMD:
TMD:
Pain associated with the jaw joint and associated muscles is referred to as TMD.
A common trigger is chewing on firm or hard foods – generally hot and cold foods do not cause a problem.
- The pain is typically on one side only.
- You may be limited in opening your mouth
- You may be aware of teeth clenching or grinding and some teeth may be tender.
- You may be under a little more stress than usual
Sharp and constant pain from an area, with a little uncertainty about which tooth it's coming from
Irreversible pulpitis
Internal swelling related to a dying nerve can cause severe pain in a tooth.
The pressure building up within the tooth has nowhere to go and causes intense irritation to any remaining nerve tissue within the root system.
Pain may have slowly worsened in the recent past and is suddenly intense – it may be impossible to sleep.
A tooth in this condition requires immediate attention and will eventually require Root Canal Treatment (RCT) or extraction.
Constant severe pain and pressure with tenderness on touching the tooth and often swelling of surrounding tissues
Dental Abscess
The infection from within the nerve space of the tooth has progressed so far that it now effects the bone and tissues that surround the tooth.
A tooth in this condition requires immediate attention and will eventually require Root Canal Treatment (RCT) or extraction.
Pain behind the last tooth on one side
Impacted or infected wisdom tooth
Often there is swelling of the soft tissues behind and around the very last tooth on one side. There may also be associated ear pain or a headache and at times jaw movements can be effected.
Gum pain or abscess
The back surface of the very last tooth can be almost impossible to clean for some people. The situation could have been made worse in the past if a wisdom tooth was left too long in the area, leading to excessive gum and bone loss. A thorough clean of the area by one of our hygienists would be a good place to start.
Sensitivity, or tenderness on biting after dental treatment
- Possible but uncommon after dental treatment.
- Most of the times this is predictable and you will be warned of its likelihood at the end of your appointment.
- Tenderness should never last more than a few days, and is often very simply fixed with a quick minor adjustment.
Objects get caught between the teeth
Dental decay or a broken tooth or dental restoration
If pain is moderate and readily resolved after the offending object is carefully removed (not with a sharp instrument), routine dental repair is likely all that will be required.
Tooth is completely knocked out or partially dislodged
First Aid action taken needs to be done quickly and must follow strict guidelines and protocols. You should call us immediately.
Severe pain on trying to open your mouth or you are unable to open your mouth
Impacted or infected wisdom tooth
The swelling of the soft tissues around the wisdom tooth can extend into the surrounding muscles and thereby effect their function.
TMD
Pain associated with the jaw joint and associated muscles is referred to as TMD.
The pain is typically on one side only.
Spasms in the muscles associated with the jaw joint can be serious enough to cause the jaw to become locked closed or locked open – intense pain and panic are common.
Pain, redness, bleeding and sometimes even swelling of the gums around a tooth
Gum abscess
A gum abscess is the result of underlying periodontal (gum) disease that has probably been present for a long time.
It presents as a reddened swelling on the gum next to the affected tooth.
Pain can vary from severe to almost none.
It may be slightly loose and a little tender to bite on.
Loose tender teeth
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Chronic gum disease often leads to significant loss of bone support surrounding tooth roots. Eventually, little supporting bone will remain and teeth will become mobile. Teeth may drift, and their changed position in the bite will only worsen the problem if forces are increased.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, particularly when it occurs during sleep, can generate enormous forces. Such forces will not only cause wear and fracture of teeth, but it can also cause them to loosen. Coupled with gum disease and a poor bite, this habit can significantly compromise a tooths longevity.
Pain with hot or cold foods or liquids
The trigger and the duration of any lingering pain is important and informs just how damaged the nerve is:
Moderate dental decay or a broken filling
If the pain lasts less than 30 seconds, this generally does not suggest a serious problem. It’s likely there’s an area of decay or a fractured filling that requires routine dental repair.
Cracked tooth
Cracked teeth suffer sharp pain when chewing and may experience extreme pain with hot or cold foods or drinks. The symptoms generally first appear quite suddenly.
Sinus toothache
If the sensitivity is in the upper back teeth and they are also tender to bite on, you may have a sinus toothache.
Irreversible Pulpitis
If the pain lingers longer than 30 seconds, this usually suggests the nerve is irreversibly damaged or dying.
The pain from a dying nerve can be quite severe and will require either Root Canal Treatment (RCT) to save it, or Extraction.
Your mouth feels on fire, scalded or burnt. There may also be dryness or a numb sensation
Burning Mouth Syndrome.
The exact cause of this condition is often difficult to determine and has long been linked to a number of other conditions. While there’s no one single proven treatment, there are things you can do to help relieve your symptoms.
Sores in the mouth, generally on the cheeks, lips or under the tongue
Apthous Ulcers
These ulcers are caused by a break in the lining membrane of the mouth. They usually occur on the thinner more mobile tissues such as the lips, cheeks and under the tongue. Their cause is often unclear, but there are some things you can do to help reduce their frequency and sooth the pain.
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