Don’t wait it out

Call or drop us a text on WhatsApp at +65 6734 9393 for an appointment.

Filling dropped out? Chipped tooth? Swelling and pain? We’ll see you ASAP.

Same-day care during clinic hours

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. Call us. A specialist sees you the same day.

Saturday, 9am to 1pm. Same. Slots are kept open for emergencies.

Outside these hours. Mount Elizabeth A&E (+65 6731 2218) or Gleneagles A&E (+65 6470 5700). The on-call doctor reaches a dental specialist when needed.

What counts as a dental emergency

Some dental problems can wait until Monday. These cannot.

Uncontrolled bleeding from the gums.
Facial swelling from a dental infection. These can become life-threatening.
A tooth that’s been knocked out, loosened, or pushed out of position.
A broken tooth where the nerve is exposed.
Severe cuts to the gums, lips, or cheek.
A jaw injury where you can’t close your mouth properly.

If your symptom isn’t on this list but you’re worried, call anyway. Better to talk it through than guess wrong.

While you’re waiting to be seen

These help until you’re in the chair. They don’t replace the visit.

Toothache

Most dental pain is caused by inflammation, so anti-inflammatory painkillers tend to work best. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are both available over the counter. Follow the dose on the packet and do not exceed it.

Lost fillings or crowns and broken teeth.

Temporary filling material from a pharmacy can cover an exposed cavity and reduce sensitivity until you are seen. If a crown has come off, keep it somewhere safe and bring it with you. Avoid chewing on that side.

Trauma to the teeth.

A knocked-out adult tooth needs to go back in quickly. Handle it by the crown, never the root, rinse it in milk or water if it is dirty, and place it back into the socket. Bite gently on a folded cloth to hold it in place and call us straight away. Baby teeth that come out completely should not be put back.

Trauma to the soft tissues (eg. lips and tongue)

Cuts inside the mouth often look worse than they are, because the bleeding mixes with saliva. Press a damp cloth or gauze against the area until it stops. Use damp rather than dry, as dry gauze sticks to the wound and reopens it when you take it away.

Ulcers

Pharmacies carry mouthwashes and lozenges that numb the area. If an ulcer has not healed after two weeks, have it looked at.

Swelling

An ice pack held against the outside of the cheek can slow the swelling. Facial swelling usually means infection, and infection spreads. Call us the same day.

Broken dentures

Keep the pieces and bring them with you. Do not try to glue them yourself, as household glues are not safe in the mouth and can leave the denture beyond repair. If you think a fragment has been swallowed or inhaled, tell us when you call.

Wisdom teeth

An erupting wisdom tooth can leave the gum tender and inflamed, and keeping the area clean usually settles it. Swelling, a bad taste, or difficulty opening your mouth suggest infection and need to be seen. Where the tooth is impacted, wisdom tooth extraction surgery is the longer-term answer.