Same-day dental emergency care

A dental emergency is any problem that needs prompt attention because of pain, bleeding, swelling or the risk of losing a tooth. Common examples include severe toothache, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, a lost filling or crown, a dental abscess with swelling, and injury to the mouth or jaw after an accident. If you are in significant pain, have facial swelling, or have had a tooth knocked out, treat it as urgent and call us straight away. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is spreading rapidly, go to a hospital emergency department.

We keep room in the schedule for dental emergencies and aim to see patients in pain the same day wherever possible. Call us on +65 6773 7088 during opening hours, or message us on WhatsApp, and tell us what is happening so we can prioritise you and prepare for your visit. Our hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm; outside those times, leave us a message and seek hospital care if the situation is severe. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can help.

Act quickly, as a knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance if it is re-implanted soon. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and if it is dirty rinse it very briefly in milk or saline (not water, and do not scrub it). If you can, gently place it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it; if not, keep it in a cup of milk or in your cheek. Then call us immediately so we can see you as soon as possible. For baby teeth, do not try to re-implant the tooth, but still call us for advice.

Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the packet, usually helps a dental toothache, and a cold compress held against the cheek can reduce swelling. Rinsing gently with warm salt water can soothe the area, and it is best to avoid very hot, very cold, hard or sugary foods on the affected side. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, as it can burn the tissue. These are temporary measures only; call us so we can find and treat the cause.