Toothache in Christchurch? Here’s when to manage at home and when to call us.

A toothache can range from a dull ache you notice after eating to sharp pain that wakes you at 3am. Knowing which situation you’re dealing with – and what to do about it – can save you hours of unnecessary discomfort. Here’s what we tell patients at our Merivale clinic.

First: What’s causing your toothache?

Most toothaches fall into one of these categories:

• Decay or a cavity that has reached the nerve – usually causes sharp pain to sweet foods or temperature
• A cracked tooth – often a sharp pain when biting that disappears quickly
• Gum infection or abscess – throbbing, constant pain, sometimes with swelling
• A lost or damaged filling – sensitivity and discomfort in the affected tooth
• Wisdom teeth pushing through – aching at the back of the jaw

The cause matters because it affects how urgently you need to be seen – and what we can do for you in the meantime.

What to do while you wait to see a Dentist

These steps won’t fix the underlying problem, but they’ll help you manage until you can get an appointment:

1. Rinse with warm salt water. A teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse gently for 30 seconds. This reduces inflammation and clears the area around the tooth.
2. Take ibuprofen if you can. Anti-inflammatory pain relief (ibuprofen) works better for tooth pain than paracetamol alone because it targets swelling as well as pain. Follow the standard dosage on the packet. If you can’t take ibuprofen, paracetamol is the next option.
3. Apply a cold pack to your cheek. 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Helps with swelling if the area is inflamed. Don’t apply ice directly to the tooth.
4. Avoid pain triggers. Hot drinks, cold drinks, sweet foods and anything acidic will all likely make the pain worse. Eat on the other side of your mouth if you can.

When to call us the same day

This is the section most online articles get wrong. Not every toothache is a same-day emergency – but some absolutely are. Use this as a guide:

Symptom	Urgency	What it usually means
Swelling spreading to your jaw, cheek or neck	Emergency	Possible spreading infection – call us immediately or go to ED
Pain that wakes you from sleep	Same day	Nerve is likely involved – needs urgent assessment
Fever alongside tooth pain	Same day	Sign of infection – do not wait
Visible swelling inside your mouth or a pimple-like bump on your gum	Same day	Likely abscess – needs drainage and antibiotics
Tooth knocked out or broken	Same day	Call immediately – time matters for knocked-out teeth
Lost filling or crown causing sharp pain	Within 48 hours	The exposed tooth needs protection quickly
Dull ache that comes and goes, no swelling	Book within the week	Early decay or cracked tooth – manageable but don’t ignore it

If swelling is spreading to your neck or you’re having difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, not the dental clinic. That situation is beyond what any dental practice can safely manage.

What about painkillers from the chemist?

Over-the-counter dental products like Dentemp (for lost fillings) or topical anaesthetic gels can provide short-term relief. They’re useful for getting through a night before an appointment, but they mask the problem – they don’t treat it. Don’t use them as a reason to delay being seen.

Same-day emergency appointments in Christchurch

At Carlton Dental Care in Merivale, we keep emergency slots available every day for patients in pain. You don’t need to be an existing patient to be seen for an emergency.

You can find out more about our emergency dental services on our site.

If you’re dealing with a toothache right now, call us on 03 355 8020 and we’ll do our best to get you in the same day.

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