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Dickson Dental on Cape

Emergency dental care

Emergency dentist in Dickson, Canberra

In a dental emergency during opening hours, call us on 02 6160 0540. Call us as early in the day as you can. We'll do our best to see you as soon as possible.

If you have trouble breathing, swallowing or talking, heavy bleeding, or swelling spreading to your eye or neck, call triple zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department12.

Book a visitCall 02 6160 0540
A woman holding a cold compress to her cheek
With Dr Kaur

What counts

What counts as a dental emergency

  • A knocked-out adult toothAct fast — see the first-aid steps below1.
  • A broken or cracked toothEspecially if it hurts or has a sharp edge.
  • Severe toothacheOr toothache lasting more than 2 days2.
  • SwellingOf the gum, face or jaw — possibly an abscess3.
  • A lost filling or crownWith pain or a sharp edge.
  • An injury to the mouthLips, tongue or gums1.

What to do right now

Dental first aid

These steps come from Australian health guidance123. Then call us on 02 6160 0540.

Knocked-out adult tooth

  1. 1Find the tooth and hold it by the crown — the white part. Avoid touching the root.
  2. 2If dirty, gently rinse it in milk or saline. Do not scrub or scrape the root.
  3. 3If the person is conscious and cooperative, gently put the tooth back into its socket without forcing it. Bite gently on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place.
  4. 4If you cannot replace it, place it immediately in a clean container of milk. If milk is unavailable, use saliva collected in a container or saline. Keep the tooth moist and bring it with you.
  5. 5Seek emergency dental care immediately. Every minute matters. Even if there has been a delay, bring the tooth and seek urgent assessment.

Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back into its socket.

Knocked-out baby tooth

  1. 1Don't put it back in.
  2. 2Rinse your child's mouth with salt water.
  3. 3Use an ice pack if it's swollen, and bring your child in.

Broken or chipped tooth

  1. 1Keep any broken piece in milk or sterile saline.
  2. 2Bring the piece with you.
  3. 3Call us for an appointment.

Toothache

  1. 1Contact a dentist promptly. Seek urgent dental care if the pain is severe, worsening, or accompanied by swelling or fever.
  2. 2Gently rinse with warm salt water and spit it out. Avoid this for young children who cannot reliably spit.
  3. 3Use pain relief suitable for you, following the packet instructions or your pharmacist's advice. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum.
  4. 4If there is swelling, apply a cold compress wrapped in a cloth to the outside of your cheek. Do not apply heat.

These measures offer temporary relief while you arrange dental treatment.

Swelling or a possible abscess

  1. 1An abscess won't get better on its own — see a dentist or doctor urgently.
  2. 2Antibiotics alone don't fix the cause; the tooth needs treatment4.
  3. 3If swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or affects breathing or swallowing, call 000.

What happens

When you call us

  1. 1

    Call our team

    Call 02 6160 0540. Tell us about your symptoms, when they started, and any injury or swelling.

  2. 2

    We assess the urgency

    We'll ask a few questions to help determine how urgently you need care and advise you on the next step.

  3. 3

    We arrange an appointment

    We'll do our best to offer a prompt appointment, based on your needs and availability.

  4. 4

    Assessment, treatment and a plan

    Dr Kaur will assess the problem and explain your treatment options and estimated costs before proceeding. Your care may include treatment to relieve pain or stabilise an injury, followed by further appointments where needed.

Opening hours and after hours

Getting help, day and night

  • During opening hours

    Call us as early in the day as you can. We'll do our best to see you as soon as possible. Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm.

  • Saturdays

    by appointment.

  • After hours

    If you have trouble breathing, swallowing or talking, heavy bleeding, or swelling near your eye or neck, call triple zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department.

Who it's for

New and existing patients, adults and children

You don't need to be an existing patient to call us about a dental emergency.

Comfort and cost

Clear costs and gentle care — even in an emergency

Clear treatment costs

We explain your treatment options and estimated costs before proceeding. We accept all major health funds and offer on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS, subject to your fund and available benefits.

Support for eligible children

Eligible children may access dental treatment through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), subject to available benefits and covered services. Our team can help check eligibility and explain any costs before treatment.

Feeling anxious?

Let us know if you're feeling nervous or overwhelmed. We'll listen to your concerns, explain each step and work at a pace you feel comfortable with.

Good to know

When to go to hospital instead

  • Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have trouble breathing, talking or swallowing12.
  • Also go to hospital if there's a lot of blood going down your throat, or your mouth or tongue is very swollen1.
  • Swelling spreading around your eye or neck needs emergency care2.
Dr Amandeep Kaur, principal dentist, smiling beside a vase of flowers at the clinic

Your dentist

Dr Amandeep Kaur

Dr Kaur is a general dentist with a particular interest in caring for nervous patients — including when something hurts. She'll explain your options clearly and take the time you need.

Meet Dr Kaur

Questions

Emergency dental care: your questions

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Hold it by the crown, rinse it quickly if dirty, and put it back in place or keep it in milk. See a dentist ideally within 30 minutes1. Dental first aid.

Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?

No. Rinse your child's mouth with salt water, use an ice pack if it's swollen, and bring your child in1.

When should I go to hospital for a toothache?

If you have trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing, or swelling near your eye or neck, call 000 or go to an emergency department2. Otherwise, call us.

Will a tooth abscess go away on its own?

No. See a dentist or doctor urgently3.

Will antibiotics fix my toothache?

Antibiotics alone don't cure a tooth infection — the cause needs dental treatment34.

Can you see me today?

Call us as early in the day as you can on 02 6160 0540. We'll do our best to see you as soon as possible.

Keep exploring

Related services

Planning your visit

More articles for families

Sources

Health information on this page is general and based on the sources below. It isn't a substitute for advice about your own situation. Last reviewed 21 October 2026.

  1. 1.healthdirect — Dental injury
  2. 2.healthdirect — Toothache and gum swelling
  3. 3.healthdirect — Tooth abscess
  4. 4.healthdirect — Root canal treatment

In pain? Call us first

Call us as early as you can and we'll do our best to see you as soon as possible.

Book a visitCall 02 6160 0540