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Not every dental problem can wait for a Tuesday appointment, but fewer are true emergencies than late-night internet searches suggest. Here's the triage we use, so you can decide what to do at 9pm on a Sunday.
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- A knocked-out tooth — minutes matter. Hold it by the crown, keep it in milk or inside your cheek, and get to a dentist within 30–60 minutes.
- Facial swelling that's spreading, especially with fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing — go to the ER, this can be life-threatening.
- Bleeding that hasn't slowed after 30 minutes of firm pressure.
- Pain so severe you can't sleep, eat or focus, that over-the-counter pain relief barely touches.
Call us the next morning
- A cracked or chipped tooth that's stable and not extremely painful.
- A lost filling or crown (keep the crown — often it can be re-cemented).
- A toothache that's bad but manageable with pain relief.
- A broken denture or orthodontic wire poking soft tissue.
If you're ever unsure, call. A two-minute phone triage beats guessing — and we'd always rather hear from you early than late.
While you wait
- 01Rinse with warm salt water to calm the area and keep it clean.
- 02Use a cold compress on the cheek for swelling — 15 minutes on, 15 off.
- 03Take ibuprofen or paracetamol as directed; avoid aspirin directly on the gum — it burns tissue.
- 04Don't chew on the affected side and skip very hot or cold drinks.
Save our number in your phone now, before you need it — and book a check-up so small problems never become emergencies.
