Toothache at 2 am? Your guide to emergency dental care in Christchurch

It starts as a dull throb while you’re watching TV. By the time you try to sleep, it’s a sharp, rhythmic pounding in your jaw that radiates up to your ear. You check the clock: 2:00 am.

Dental pain is widely considered one of the most intense types of pain a human can experience. It doesn’t care if it’s a Sunday, a public holiday, or the middle of the night.

For residents in Wigram, Hornby, and the wider Christchurch area, finding immediate help can feel like a mission. Most clinics have long waitlists, and "emergency" dental hubs often come with eye-watering after-hours surcharges.

At 1 Health Wigram, we do things differently. Because we have both experienced dentists and GPs under one roof, we provide a level of emergency care that standard dental-only clinics can’t match.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to handle a dental disaster and why our integrated team is the fastest way to get you out of pain.

1. Why integrated care is a "secret weapon" for dental pain

Most people don’t realise that a dentist often cannot treat a severely infected tooth until the infection is under control. If you have a "hot" tooth or a significant abscess, the acidity of the infection can actually prevent local anaesthetic from working.

This is the 1 Health advantage:

• Immediate infection control: If your infection is severe, our on-site medical team can prescribe high-strength antibiotics and professional-grade pain relief immediately.

• Doctor-led sedation: For patients who are incredibly anxious or in extreme distress, our doctors can provide IV sedation to ensure your emergency dental procedure is calm and painless.

• Comprehensive trauma care: If you’ve had a fall or sports injury, we don’t just look at the tooth. We can assess you for concussion, treat facial cuts, and update your tetanus booster all in one visit.

2. Is it a "medical" or "dental" emergency?

When you’re in pain, it’s hard to know who to call. At 1 Health, the answer is simple: Call us regardless.

We will triage you and ensure you see the right professional.

Go to the Hospital (ED) or call 111 if:

• You have swelling that is closing your eye or moving down your neck (this can compromise breathing).

• You have had severe trauma and there is bleeding that won’t stop.

• You have a high fever combined with rapid facial swelling.

Book an emergency dental slot at 1 Health Wigram if:

• Severe toothache: You can’t sleep, eat, or function due to the pain.

• A "fat face" (Abscess): You have visible swelling in your cheek or gums.

• Broken or knocked-out tooth: Time is of the essence here—the sooner we see you, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

• Lost filling or crown: Especially if the area is sensitive or sharp.

3. DIY triage: What to do at home (Right now)

If you are reading this in the middle of the night and can’t get to our Springs Road clinic yet, here is how to manage the pain until we open.

• The "3-step" pain combo: Unless you have medical restrictions, alternating Paracetamol and Ibuprofen is the gold standard for dental pain. Ibuprofen tackles the inflammation (the pressure), while Paracetamol blocks the pain signals.

• Keep your head elevated: Do not lie flat. Lying down causes more blood to rush to your head, increasing the throbbing pressure in the tooth. Try sleeping propped up on pillows.

• Cold compress: Avoid heat! Do not put a hot water bottle on your cheek, as heat draws blood to the infection. Use a cold compress (or frozen peas wrapped in a towel) on the outside of your cheek to numb the area.

• Salt water rinses: Mix a teaspoon of salt in warm water and swish gently. It’s a natural antiseptic that can soothe inflamed gums.