Emergency Dental Care in Campbelltown, Adelaide
Short answer: if you have a dental emergency on a weekday, phone us
on (08) 8102 0951 as early as you can. We keep time in our schedule
for urgent problems and will fit you in as soon as we can, or tell
you where else to go. If you have facial swelling that is spreading,
difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop, or a
facial injury, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or
call 000.
01
What counts as a dental emergency?
Phone us the same day if you have:
• severe or worsening toothache
• a knocked-out adult tooth (see below; time matters)
• a broken, cracked or loose tooth
• swelling of the gum or face
• bleeding after an extraction that won't settle
• a lost filling or crown that is painful or sharp
Go to hospital or call 000 instead if you have facial swelling that is spreading towards your eye or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure, or an injury to the face or jaw.
02
Knocked-out adult tooth: what to do now
1. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
2. If it's dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. Don't scrub it or let it dry out.
3. If you can, gently push it back into its socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
4. If you can't, keep it in a small container of milk, or wrapped in plastic wrap.
5. Phone us straight away. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance when it is seen quickly, ideally within an hour.
Don't put a baby tooth back in. Phone us instead.
03
Toothache and swelling
Rinse with warm water and gently floss around the tooth in case food is trapped. Over-the-counter pain relief, taken as directed on the packet, can help until you're seen; don't place tablets against the gum. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can ease swelling.
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Toothache often means a problem in the nerve of the tooth or an infection, and it rarely settles for good on its own. Phone us to book, even if the pain eases.
04
Broken tooth, lost filling or lost crown
Rinse your mouth with warm water, keep any broken pieces, and use a cold compress if there is swelling. Avoid chewing on that side.
If a crown comes off, keep it and bring it with you; it can sometimes be re-cemented. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can cover a sharp edge for a day or two. Don't use household glue on a tooth, crown or denture.
05
If a tooth can't be saved
Sometimes a broken or badly infected tooth can't be repaired and needs to be removed. If that happens, we'll talk you through the options for replacing it, including a bridge, a denture or a dental implant, and whether leaving the gap is reasonable. There's no need to decide on the day. We'll get you comfortable first and plan the rest when you're ready.
Emergency dental care for Campbelltown and the eastern suburbs
Our studio is at Suite 1, 530 Lower North East Road, Campbelltown,
inside the MyMedical facility, with parking on site. We're a short
drive from Paradise, Newton, Rostrevor, Magill, Athelstone,
Hectorville and Tranmere. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Phone
(08) 8102 0951.
When to go to hospital instead Go to your nearest hospital emergency department, or call 000, if you have facial swelling that is spreading towards your eye or neck, a high temperature with dental pain, difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth, bleeding that won't stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure, or an injury to the face or jaw, especially after a head knock. For dental problems outside our hours that aren't hospital emergencies, see the Australian Dental Association SA Branch's list of after-hours and emergency dentists.
What does an emergency appointment cost? An emergency appointment starts with an examination and usually an x-ray, so we can find the cause. The cost then depends on what is needed: some problems are settled at that visit, while others need a temporary fix first and a follow up appointment. We'll explain the options and their costs before anything is done. Many extras policies contribute, and eligible children may be covered by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which we bulk-bill.
Read more: Dental implants in Campbelltown · How health funds work
at Aesthetica · Children's dentistry
After hours: see the ADA SA list of after-hours and emergency dentists.
Dental emergency FAQs
Q: Can you see me today? A: We keep time in our schedule for urgent problems on weekdays and fit people in as soon as we can. Phone us as early in the day as possible. We can't promise a same-day appointment, but if we can't see you in time, we'll tell you where else to go.
Q: What can I take for dental pain? A: Over-the-counter pain relief, taken as directed on the packet or as advised by your pharmacist, can help until you're seen. Don't place tablets against the gum, as they can burn it. Pain relief can mask a problem without fixing it, so book an appointment even if the pain settles.
Q: Do you see new patients for dental emergencies? A: Yes. You don't need to be an existing patient. Phone us, tell us what has happened, and we'll find the earliest suitable appointment.
Q: What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth? A: Don't try to put a baby tooth back in, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Keep your child calm, press a clean cloth on the area to stop any bleeding, and phone us so we can check for other damage. If your child has hit their head, or seems drowsy or unwell, take them to hospital first.
Q: What should I do after hours or on the weekend? A: Our studio is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Outside those hours, the Australian Dental Association SA Branch keeps a list of practices offering after-hours and emergency appointments on its website, ada.org.au. For facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop, or a facial injury, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call 000. For anything else, phone us when we open.
Q: Is a chipped tooth an emergency? A: A small chip that isn't painful usually isn't urgent, but it should still be checked within a few days so it doesn't get worse. A large break, a tooth that is painful or sensitive, or a break where you can see pink or red inside the tooth should be seen as soon as possible.
Q: Should I go to hospital for a toothache? A: Usually not. A toothache on its own is best seen by a dentist. Go to hospital if the toothache comes with swelling that is spreading to your eye or neck, a high temperature, or difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth.
Q: Will my health fund cover an emergency appointment? A: Many extras policies contribute towards an emergency examination, x-rays and some treatments, depending on your level of cover. Eligible children may be covered by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which we bulk-bill. We'll explain the likely costs and options before any treatment starts.
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Aesthetica Dental Studio · Suite 1/530 Lower North East Rd, Campbelltown SA 5074 · (08) 8102 0951. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
