Emergency Children's Dental Care

Toothache is one of the most common dental concerns in children. It may be caused by:  ​ • Tooth decay (the most common cause)  • Chalky teeth (enamel hypomineralisation)  • Tooth fractures  • Dental trauma  ​ Occasionally, pain may be due to food trapped between teeth, especially in younger children. Gently cleaning the area with a soft toothbrush or using dental floss may help. If discomfort persists, we recommend scheduling an appointment for a thorough assessment.

Seek urgent care with your local hospital if your child has symptoms such as:  ​ • Throbbing pain  • Facial swelling  • Fever  • General unwellness (malaise)  ​ These signs may indicate a spreading dental infection that requires immediate attention. After-hours emergencies can be managed through our local hospital emergency department – Starship Hospital; Middlemore Hospital .

Grey or Dark Teeth:  After an injury, a tooth may turn grey or dark. This is usually from a small amount of bleeding inside the tooth. In many cases, the colour improves on its own, but this can take up to 6 months. ​ Cloudy or Yellow Teeth:  If the tooth becomes lighter but looks cloudy or yellow, it often means the nerve inside has naturally closed off. This is usually nothing to worry about, and no treatment is needed unless other problems develop. ​ Pink Teeth:  A tooth that looks pink may be breaking down from the inside. This is less common but important to check. Your dentist will need to monitor it closely.

If the discoloured tooth:  Stays dark but causes no pain or swelling, it can usually be left in place and monitored regularly by your dentist.  Shows signs of infection (such as pain, swelling, or a small lump on the gum above the tooth), this may indicate an abscess, and extraction is recommended to prevent damage to the developing adult tooth underneath.

Keep a close eye on the colour and condition of the injured tooth 1. Attend regular dental check-ups for monitoring. 2. Contact your dentist if your child develops pain, swelling, fever, or any gum changes. 3. If your child has had an injury, please don’t wait - contact us immediately to register with ACC and for the best possible outcome. 4. Kidz Teeth is a registered ACC specialist practice to treat urgent children under general anaesthesia.