Urgent Dental Care Wellington: Where Should I Go?

Where to go for urgent dental care in Wellington  

Dental emergencies can happen at any time of day. If you need to see a dentist at the last minute, on a weekend or after-hours, there are several options you can take.  

What constitutes an urgent appointment? 

You might be surprised by the type of dental problems that need urgent attention. Losing a tooth due to a sports injury or accident isn’t the only reason to rush to the dentist. If you’ve cracked a tooth, chipped a filling, have broken a wire off your braces or have a bad toothache, you should book in with a dentist as soon as possible.  

Where can I go for urgent dental care? 

There are several places in Wellington that offer last-minute appointments. At Gentle Dental, we have practices across the Wellington region, that offer varying opening hours including late nights and Saturdays.  

We also have space in our clinics for last-minute appointments. If you have a dental emergency, need urgent dental care or aren’t sure if your problem is an emergency, you can call us to ask. Our reception staff will ask you about your symptoms. If you need an urgent appointment, we’ll try to get you in to see one of our dentists the same day. 

Can I book an urgent dental appointment for toothache? 

It might seem surprising, but severe toothache is a sign that you need urgent care. Sudden pain or toothache that’s getting worse could be a sign of an infection that’s been brewing for a while. It could also be caused by an abscess or underlying nerve damage that needs treatment.  

What happens during an urgent appointment? 

Much like a general checkup, your dentist will ask if you’re experiencing any pain or immediate symptoms. Once you’ve talked through the problem, your dentist will examine your mouth. They might also take x-rays of your teeth to find the source of pain.  

Depending on the cause, your dentist might fix the problem (maybe you need a new filling) or give you a temporary solution (like a temporary crown) until you’re ready for a permanent solution. 

How do I know if I need to see a dentist or go to the emergency room? 

Dental emergencies that are urgent but not life threatening can be treated by a dentist. For example, if you’ve knocked a tooth out while playing sport, you should see a dentist right away. If you’ve knocked a tooth out playing sport and you need stitches, you should go to the emergency room.  

If you’re experiencing tooth ache you should see a dentist. If you’re experiencing a toothache that leaves you short of breath or facial swelling, go to the emergency room.  

Urgent reasons to go to the emergency room include facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, and severe pain. 

What if I need after-hours dental care? 

Whether you need urgent dental care or just find it hard to get to the dentist during the day, we can help. Our Ghuznee Street clinic is open six days a week and offers early mornings (you can see us at 7am on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and until 7pm and 8pm three nights a week.  

Check out our opening hours for all of our clinics here. 

If you need to see a dentist urgently, give us a call on 0508 GENTLE. We have same day appointments available at our clinics.