Toothaches
In pain? Call us first thing.
Toothache is exhausting. It wrecks your sleep, your focus and your mood — and painkillers only do so much. The good news is that most toothaches have a clear cause, and once we know what it is, we can usually get you out of pain the same day.
What the pain is telling you
Toothache is almost always one of three things
Deep decay
A cavity has reached close to the nerve. Sharp pain with hot, cold or sweet foods. Often fixed with a filling or, if it's deeper, a root canal.
A cracked tooth
Pain when biting, especially on release. Teeth with big old fillings are particularly prone. Treated with a crown or sometimes a root canal and crown.
Gum infection
Dull throbbing pain, tenderness when pressing on the tooth, sometimes a bump on the gum. Usually fixed with a clean or root canal and antibiotics.
What happens when you come in
A quick exam, a clear answer, a plan
We book you into a dedicated emergency slot, take a focused x-ray, and examine the painful area. Within 15 minutes we can usually tell you what's causing the pain and what your options are — from a filling or root canal through to a crown or, in some cases, extraction.
If the fix is quick, we'll often do it on the same visit. If it needs a longer appointment, we'll manage your pain immediately and book you in for treatment as soon as possible.
How we do it at Austral
Same-day care whenever we can
We keep emergency slots open every day for exactly this reason — someone in pain shouldn't have to wait a week for an appointment. Call us first thing in the morning and we'll do our best to see you the same day.
You don't need to have been to us before. New patients in pain are welcome too.
FAQs
Questions people usually ask
When is a toothache an emergency?
If you have facial swelling, a fever, difficulty swallowing, or pain that wakes you up at night, call us first thing in the morning and we will do our best to see you the same day. Swelling that is spreading across the face or neck is always urgent — go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you can't get hold of a dentist.
What can I do right now for the pain?
Rinse gently with warm salt water, keep the area clean, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed on the packet if it is safe for you. Avoid very hot or very cold food and drinks, and avoid chewing on that side. These measures buy time — they don't fix the underlying cause.
My toothache stopped on its own. Should I still come in?
Yes. A toothache that stops suddenly can actually be a warning sign — it sometimes means the nerve inside the tooth has died, and infection can still spread silently. A quick exam tells us what happened and what to do about it.
What will a visit cost if it turns out to be nothing?
An emergency exam with any x-rays needed is a fixed fee, and we will tell you the cost on the phone when you book. If we find something that needs treatment, we will give you a clear quote before doing anything.