Can I come in for toothache at night?

The clinic is open twenty-four hours every day with a dentist on site. Calling ahead means the preparation can be done while you are on your way.

I took a painkiller and it stopped. Should I still come?

Pain stopping does not mean healing. When severe toothache ends on its own it usually means the nerve has died, and the infection keeps moving quietly towards the root tip.

How should I store a knocked-out tooth?

In milk. Water damages the cells on the root surface. Hold the tooth by the crown and do not touch the root.

Is an antibiotic enough for swelling?

An antibiotic slows the spread but does not reach the infected tissue. The source has to be cleaned, otherwise it recurs.

Papatya Dental · Emergency

Emergency Dental Care

What cannot wait, what to do in the moment, and how to limit the pain until you reach the clinic.

Is this an emergency?

The following will not wait, whatever the hour. For difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to an emergency department rather than a dental clinic.

Swelling spreading across the face, cheek or under the eye
Toothache accompanied by fever
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Being unable to open the mouth two fingers wide
A tooth broken or knocked out after a blow
Bleeding from the gum or an extraction site that will not stop
Pain that painkillers do not touch and that breaks your sleep

An emergency department, not a dental clinic

If you are struggling to swallow or breathe, if swelling has spread under the eye or into the neck, or if there is a high fever, go straight to the nearest emergency department. These belong to a hospital, not to a dental unit.

Until you reach the clinic

These limit the pain and the damage; they do not replace treatment.

Throbbing pain: Keeping your head raised lowers the pressure in the pulp somewhat. Do not lie on the painful side. Take painkillers as advised; placing a tablet such as aspirin directly on the gum causes a chemical burn.
Swelling: Apply cold from the outside. Heat speeds the spread. Do not try to burst or drain the swelling yourself.
A broken tooth: Keep the fragment; in some cases it can be bonded back. If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, cover it with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum.
A lost filling or crown: The exposed tooth will be sensitive to hot and cold. Do not chew on that side. Do not try to cement the crown back yourself.
Bleeding after an extraction: Roll a clean gauze, place it over the socket and bite without letting go for thirty minutes. Do not spit, rinse or use a straw; if the clot comes away the bleeding restarts.
A cut lip, cheek or tongue: Press with a clean cloth for five minutes. If the bleeding does not stop or the cut is deep, go to an emergency department.

A knocked-out tooth: the first 30 minutes

If a permanent tooth has come out completely, time is the deciding factor. Hold it by the crown and do not touch the root. If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or saline, and do not scrub. Put it back in the socket and bite gently if you can; if not, carry it in milk. Water damages the root cells.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come in for toothache at night?: The clinic is open twenty-four hours every day with a dentist on site. Calling ahead means the preparation can be done while you are on your way.
I took a painkiller and it stopped. Should I still come?: Pain stopping does not mean healing. When severe toothache ends on its own it usually means the nerve has died, and the infection keeps moving quietly towards the root tip.
How should I store a knocked-out tooth?: In milk. Water damages the cells on the root surface. Hold the tooth by the crown and do not touch the root.
Is an antibiotic enough for swelling?: An antibiotic slows the spread but does not reach the infected tissue. The source has to be cleaned, otherwise it recurs.

This content is for general information and does not replace an in-person examination. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and a diagnosis can only be made clinically.