Emergency Dental Care: When to Seek Help

Your guide to handling dental emergencies

• 7 min read
Call Emergency Dental: 0800 CLINIC

Common Dental Emergencies

Severe Tooth Pain

Immediate

Symptoms

  • Intense throbbing pain
  • Pain when biting
  • Sensitivity to temperature
  • Swelling

First Aid Steps

  • Rinse with warm salt water
  • Take over-the-counter pain relief
  • Apply cold compress
  • Contact emergency dentist

Knocked-Out Tooth

Within 30 minutes

Symptoms

  • Missing tooth
  • Bleeding
  • Pain in socket
  • Facial trauma

First Aid Steps

  • Handle tooth by crown only
  • Rinse gently if dirty
  • Try to reinsert if possible
  • Store in milk or saliva

Broken/Chipped Tooth

Same day

Symptoms

  • Sharp edges
  • Pain when biting
  • Sensitivity
  • Visible damage

First Aid Steps

  • Rinse mouth with warm water
  • Save any broken pieces
  • Apply gauze if bleeding
  • Use temporary dental cement

Dental Abscess

Immediate

Symptoms

  • Severe pain
  • Facial swelling
  • Fever
  • Bad taste/smell

First Aid Steps

  • Rinse with salt water
  • Take pain medication
  • Apply cold compress
  • Seek immediate care

Emergency Dental Costs

Service Cost Range Notes
Emergency Consultation $150 - $250 Initial examination and diagnosis
After Hours Treatment $200 - $400 Additional fee for out-of-hours care
Emergency Extraction $200 - $500 Simple extraction in emergency situations
Temporary Filling $150 - $300 Temporary repair until permanent treatment

24/7 Emergency Dental Locations

Auckland

  • CBD Emergency Dental
  • North Shore 24/7 Dental
  • West Auckland Urgent Care
Call: 0800 254 642

Wellington

  • Capital Emergency Dental
  • Lower Hutt Dental Emergency
  • After Hours Dental Care
Call: 0800 254 642

Christchurch

  • 24/7 Dental Emergency
  • Canterbury Urgent Dental
  • After Hours Care Centre
Call: 0800 254 642