What counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is severe pain, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, or facial swelling. Tooth or gum problems that are milder than this, such as a small chip or a dull ache, are still worth a call to a dentist but usually do not need to be seen the same day.

In short

• See a dentist the same day for severe pain, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, or facial swelling.
• A small chip, a mild ache, or a lost filling without pain can usually wait for a routine appointment.
• Swelling that spreads towards the eye or neck, bleeding that will not stop, or breathing, swallowing or speech difficulty, needs a hospital emergency unit, not a dentist.
• Pain that keeps you awake, or does not ease with ordinary pain relief, is a sign to call a dentist that day.
• This page gives general information. It does not replace an examination by a dentist.

This article is part of the dental emergency guidance on this site for patients in Cape Town.

Which problems need to be seen the same day?

Call a dentist and ask for a same-day appointment if you have severe or throbbing pain that ordinary pain relief does not settle, a tooth that has been knocked out or badly broken, swelling in the face or gum, a tooth that has been pushed out of position by a knock, or a lost filling or crown that has left a tooth painful. A dentist can usually tell over the phone how quickly you need to be seen, so describe what happened and how you feel rather than waiting to see if it settles.

Which problems can usually wait?

A mild ache that eases with ordinary pain relief, a small chip with no pain and no sharp edge, a lost filling or crown that is not painful, or ordinary sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food can usually wait for a routine appointment. It is still worth telling your dentist’s rooms what has happened when you call, since they may want to see you sooner if the problem sounds more serious than it first appears.

When should I go to a hospital emergency unit instead of a dentist?

Go to a hospital emergency unit, not a dentist, if you have any of the following: swelling that is spreading towards your eye or your neck, difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, bleeding from the mouth that does not stop after firm pressure, or any injury to the head, such as loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion after a knock. These are medical emergencies as well as dental ones. Call an ambulance or have someone drive you there without delay. For more on this, see My face is swollen from a tooth. When is that urgent?

What should I do while I am waiting to be seen?

Keep the mouth clean by rinsing gently with warm water, and use a cold compress against the outside of the face if there is swelling. Avoid chewing on the sore side. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help. Always follow the instructions on the packet and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure what is right for you. For toothache specifically, see What can I do about severe toothache at night?, and for a knocked-out tooth, see What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

How do I reach Dr Davies?

To describe an urgent problem and ask whether you need to be seen that day, call the practice on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00 and ask for Dr Davies, or call her own mobile at any other time, including Saturdays. This page always shows the right number for the time of day. If your symptoms match the hospital emergency unit list above, go there first rather than waiting for a dental appointment.

This page is general information for patients in Cape Town and is not a diagnosis. Every dental emergency is different, and only an examination can tell you what is actually wrong.