How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

man in prahran with toothache needing emergency dental care

Updated October 2026

If you have a dental emergency in Prahran, call us on (03) 9510 1644 or after hours on (04) 3380 8266.

And remember, we keep appointment slots free every day for emergency cases. Additionally, your oral health is intimately tied to your overall health, and any trauma or injury can have far-reaching consequences. So, an emergency is not something you should brush aside.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Any dental/oral trauma or infection constitutes a dental emergency.

Typical examples include:

Tooth Trauma: Tooth trauma can consist of everything from chipped to broken teeth, or even complete tooth loss. In every case, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible to give your tooth the best chance of survival.
Toothache: This is probably the most common cause for emergency dental treatment, and it can come on suddenly and be excruciating. This pain should never be ignored because it is usually a sign of something more sinister.
Oral Trauma: If you receive a heavy blow to the face or mouth, have your mouth checked by a dentist. Even if there are no visible issues, you may have some bruising or even tooth movement. The earlier this is checked, the less chance it has of progressing to something more serious.
Lost Fillings: If you lose a filling, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible to protect your teeth. Remember, fillings are designed to preserve your teeth's strength and protect your gums and roots from damage.
Wisdom Tooth Pain: Wisdom tooth pain can indicate impaction or infection.
Abscess: An abscess, left untreated, can lead to the spread of infection and serious complications.
Facial Swelling: Facial swelling typically indicates a severe infection that requires root canal therapy.

Attempting to wait out mild pain (especially if there is swelling) can complicate the situation and call for more costly and time-consuming treatment later on.

When to Go to Hospital or Call 000

SA Dental Service (Government of South Australia) notes that the following symptoms indicate a serious issue requiring prompt medical attention:

Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or spreads to the eye or neck
High fever with swelling
Bleeding that won't stop
A suspected jaw fracture or head injury

Basically, if you have sustained trauma outside the teeth or gums, you should seek emergency medical care.

First Aid for Common Dental Emergencies in Prahran

Knocked-Out Adult Tooth: Handle the tooth by the crown and not the root. Also, be sure not to rinse or scrub it with water. Use only saline or milk. You should also store the tooth in milk or saliva until you reach our dental clinic. Alternatively, you can place it back in the socket, but do not let the tooth dry out! In some cases, your dentist can reset it in the socket if you follow these instructions.
Knocked Out Baby Tooth: Do not restore the baby tooth to the socket to preserve it, as it can interfere with the adult tooth that may be coming in, or your child may swallow it. You can control any bleeding with gauze, and then call our dental clinic for guidance.
Chipped, Cracked or Broken Tooth: If the tooth is chipped, you can often wait until the next available appointment, but for cracks and fractures, collect the fragments, rinse with warm water, and store in milk or saliva. A cold compress on the face may help with discomfort, and please avoid chewing on that side.
Blow to the Face or Mouth: We recommend a check-in with the dentist even if you feel okay. There may be shifting or movement to the teeth that isn't noticeable or painful.
Toothache: The first step is to answer a series of questions over the phone about where you’re feeling pain, whether you have any sensitivity, and how severe the pain is. If we feel as though the pain is of a dental origin, we will book you in as soon as possible, so you don’t have to suffer the pain for any longer than is necessary.
Severe Toothache: Rinse with warm water and floss gently. You can also use an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Do not place medication on the gum. A hot or cold compress may help with symptoms before you see the dentist.
Abscess, Swelling, or Infection: An abscess is a collection of pus caused by germs, including bacteria. These infections can affect both the tooth and the gums, and they are incredibly painful. We can alleviate the pain and provide the antibiotics you need to clear the infection so you can enjoy a healthy mouth again. Your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. In the meantime, try rinsing with warm salt water, using a cold compress on the cheek, and call us as soon as possible. Avoid squeezing or aggravating the swollen area.
Wisdom Tooth Pain: Rinse with warm salt water, keep the area clean, and call us if you notice swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, or difficulty opening your mouth.
Loose or Lost Filling, Crown or Veneer: Cementing a crown or veneer back on your teeth is straightforward. If you have lost the crown or veneer entirely, we can fit a temporary one and order a new one as soon as possible. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side, and bring the restoration to your appointment. No sweet or hot foods, and do not attempt to glue the restoration back in place on your own.
Cut Lip, Tongue or Gum: Apply firm pressure with gauze for 10 to fifteen minutes, and use a cold compress as needed.
Broken Braces, Dentures or Oral Appliances: If you have lost a wire or bracket from an orthodontic appliance, we can cement or fix it. If you have a fractured denture, visit us as soon as possible, as it can deteriorate quickly. Meanwhile, cover sharp wires with orthodontic wax, but don't cut them. Bring your appliance or prosthetic with you to your emergency visit.

What Happens When You Call Lifetime Dental

First, we learn about the severity and nature of your dental emergency. Then, we book you in with our emergency dentist in Prahran. If you're calling us after hours, be sure to use our after-hours number.

We offer sleep dentistry for anxious patients and will take steps to address your emergency as soon as possible, from re-cementing crowns and veneers to fitting you with temporary restorations. We'll treat your infection promptly and can provide emergency root canal treatment if warranted.

No matter what dental emergency you’re facing, you can rely on us, and we urge you not to feel embarrassed to call. Lifetime Dental genuinely cares about you and your health, and we would always rather hear from you than allow a situation to harm your oral health.

If you think there’s a problem, call us on (03) 9510 1644 and get the help you need.

We offer emergency dental treatment in Prahran near Melbourne. We think you'll love our gentle and caring approach to the practice, and appreciate that we do more than treat the issue at hand; we check your overall health picture and make sure everything is ticking along nicely.