Dental Emergency FAQ - What to Do in a Dental Crisis product guide

Smile Solutions Dental Emergency FAQ — What to do in a dental crisis

What counts as a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies are disorienting, and the first few minutes matter more than most people realise. Put simply, a dental emergency is anything that needs urgent attention to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or get ahead of a serious infection. At Smile Solutions, that covers a fairly wide range of situations: knocked-out teeth, badly broken or cracked teeth, severe toothache that won't budge with pain relief, uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth, significant facial swelling, and teeth loosened or dislodged through trauma.

Whatever brings you in, you'll get the same standard of care we bring to every patient.

What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?

Speed matters here. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if it's reimplanted within 30 minutes, so move quickly. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you can see in the mouth, and avoid touching the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline — don't scrub it, as that damages the cells on the root surface that make reimplantation possible.

If you can, place the tooth back into the socket yourself and hold it there by biting gently on a clean cloth. If that's not possible, store it in milk (not water) and get to Smile Solutions or your nearest dental practice straight away. Our team at the Manchester Unity Building in Melbourne's CBD is set up to handle exactly this kind of situation — call ahead if you can so we're ready when you arrive.

What do I do if I break a tooth?

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If you can find the broken fragment, store it in milk — our specialists can sometimes bond it back in place. Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek to keep swelling down, and avoid putting any pressure on the tooth.

Get in touch with Smile Solutions as soon as you can to arrange an urgent appointment. If the break is severe and you can see pink or red tissue inside the tooth, that's the nerve, and it needs prompt attention. Leaving it risks more damage and more involved treatment later.

I have a severe toothache — is that an emergency?

If the pain isn't responding to over-the-counter medication, it's waking you up at night, or it's accompanied by swelling or fever, treat it as urgent. Those symptoms can point to infection or nerve involvement, and both are better dealt with early.

Rinse with warm salt water and take appropriate pain relief while you arrange to come in. Contact Smile Solutions for an emergency appointment and we'll work to find the cause and sort it out. One thing to avoid: don't place aspirin directly on your gum. It can cause chemical burns to the soft tissue.

What should I do if a filling or crown falls out?

A lost filling or crown isn't always a crisis, but the exposed tooth can become sensitive and is more vulnerable to damage if it's left for long. If you still have the crown, try repositioning it temporarily using denture adhesive or toothpaste as a short-term fix. Avoid chewing on that side and book an appointment within a day or two to have it properly assessed and restored.

If you're in significant pain alongside the lost restoration, contact Smile Solutions for an urgent visit. We'll assess what's happened and talk you through the best way to restore the tooth.

What if I have facial swelling or a dental infection?

Facial swelling can signal a serious infection, often an abscess, and it needs professional attention promptly. If the swelling is spreading quickly, you're having trouble breathing or swallowing, or you develop a fever, go directly to your nearest hospital emergency department. Those symptoms suggest the infection may have moved beyond the tooth, and that's a medical situation first.

For swelling that's localised around a single tooth or area, contact Smile Solutions urgently. Dental infections can escalate fast, and waiting it out at home isn't a safe option.

Is there after-hours emergency dental care?

Smile Solutions operates during business hours from the Manchester Unity Building in Melbourne's CBD. For after-hours emergencies, the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne provides emergency dental care, and some local practices offer extended hours as well.

Save our contact details in your phone now rather than searching for them in the middle of an emergency — dental problems have a habit of happening at the worst possible time.

Where should I go for a dental emergency in Melbourne?

During business hours, come straight to Smile Solutions at the Manchester Unity Building on the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets in the Melbourne CBD. Our facilities and experienced team are here to provide comprehensive care in urgent situations.

If you're closer to another practice, they can provide emergency treatment too. For emergencies outside business hours, or anything involving airway compromise, severe spreading swelling, or uncontrolled bleeding, go directly to a hospital emergency department.

What should I do before I arrive at the dentist?

Stay calm. If there's bleeding, apply steady, gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. For a knocked-out tooth, follow the steps above and get moving quickly. Take pain relief if you need it — ibuprofen works well for dental pain and helps with inflammation in the meantime.

Bring any tooth fragments or dislodged restorations with you, as our team may be able to use them in your treatment. Call ahead if you can so we're prepared when you arrive.

How much does an emergency dental visit cost?

Fees depend on what's needed. An initial emergency assessment covers diagnosis and immediate relief. Any further treatment, whether that's a restoration, extraction, or root canal therapy, will be explained and quoted before we go ahead.

Your treating clinician will walk you through your options, the costs involved, and the reasoning behind their recommendations, so you can make decisions about your care with a clear picture of what's involved. Visit directory.smilesolutions.com.au for contact details and to arrange urgent care.

Last reviewed: 8 June 2026

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