Weekend sport, a trampoline in the backyard, a bite on an olive pip: dental emergencies rarely give notice. If you need an emergency dentist in Eglinton, Alkimos or Butler (or you've just searched "emergency dentist Butler"), call us on 08 9564 1007. We hold some appointments aside each day we're open for emergencies. If anyone has trouble breathing or swallowing, call 000 first.
Do I need an emergency dentist?
Call us promptly if you have:
a knocked-out adult tooth
a broken or cracked tooth that hurts or is sharp
severe toothache, or pain that keeps you awake
swelling in your gum, jaw or face
bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure
a lost crown or filling with pain
A small chip with no sharp edge, or a lost filling with no pain, is usually less urgent. Call us anyway and we'll find a sensible time.
The first hour: what to do before you get to us
This is the first aid from healthdirect's dental injury guide:
Knocked-out adult tooth: hold it by the white crown, not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it quickly in warm water without scrubbing or soaking. Try to put it back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth. If that's not possible, keep it in milk or saliva. Aim to reach a dentist or hospital within 30 minutes.
Knocked-out baby tooth: don't put it back. Rinse your child's mouth with salt water, use a cold pack for swelling, and see a dentist.
Broken tooth: keep the broken piece in milk or sterile saline and bring it with you.
Bleeding: press firmly with a clean cloth or gauze.
Swelling: hold an ice pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek.
For pain, follow the directions on the pack or ask your pharmacist.
Some of these injuries happen at weekend sport. healthdirect recommends a fitted mouthguard for sports such as football, hockey and basketball, and for skateboarding. We make custom mouthguards fitted to your teeth.
When it's a hospital job, not a dental one
healthdirect says to call 000 or go straight to an emergency department if you're having trouble breathing, talking or swallowing, if a lot of blood is going down your throat, or if your mouth or tongue is very swollen.
A fever over 38°C, pus, a bad taste or swollen glands in your neck can be signs of infection. See a dentist or doctor promptly. The healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 has nurses available 24 hours a day if you're unsure.
Emergency dentist in Eglinton: what happens when you call
When you ring, we'll ask what happened, when, how bad the pain is and whether there's swelling. Because we keep some appointments aside each day we're open, a same-day appointment may be possible, though we can't promise one. Either way, we'll tell you what to do until you get here.
At the appointment, Dr Shehab Hassan will examine the tooth and take X-rays if needed. The first aim is to ease the pain and protect the tooth. Then we explain the options for a lasting fix. That might be a filling, a crown, root canal treatment or, if the tooth can't be saved, a tooth extraction. Our emergency dental page has more on what we treat.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dentist remove a badly broken tooth?
Yes, if it can't be saved. Often a broken tooth can be rebuilt with a filling, crown or root canal treatment instead. We'll examine it and explain both paths before anything happens.
Do I need to be an existing patient?
No. Call us whether or not you've been here before.
What if my child knocks out a baby tooth?
Don't try to put it back; healthdirect advises against it. Keep your child calm, rinse with salt water, and call us so we can check the area.
What if it happens when we're closed?
Follow the first aid steps. For any of the warning signs above, call 000 or go to an emergency department, and for a knocked-out adult tooth go to hospital rather than waiting. Otherwise, call the healthdirect helpline if you're worried, and ring us as soon as we open. Current hours are on our contact page.
If you need an emergency dentist in Eglinton, Butler or Alkimos, call Eglinton Dental Care on 08 9564 1007. For anything that isn't urgent, book an appointment online.
