Dental pain or infection
Tooth or gum pain while you wait for a dentist? Use this route for safe interim care. Quinn checks for spreading swelling first — a clinician can advise on pain relief, and antibiotics if the infection is spreading. Medicine can't fix the tooth itself; you'll still need a dentist.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- A clinician can recommend safe pain relief and may prescribe antibiotics only if infection is spreading
- You will still need a dentist to treat the cause
- Spreading swelling, swallowing or breathing difficulty, eye involvement or serious illness needs urgent assessment
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- You are arranging dental treatment and need safe advice while you wait
- There is no swelling under the jaw or down the neck, breathing concern, severe illness or eye involvement
Use another service first if…
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling, swelling under the jaw or down the neck, reduced mouth opening or eye swelling
- Major injury, uncontrolled bleeding, severe illness or inability to obtain urgent dental care
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
Go to ED or call 111 now if you…
- have swelling under your jaw, down your neck or around your eye
- can't open your mouth, swallow or breathe normally
- feel very unwell
About dental pain or infection
Dental pain commonly comes from tooth decay, an inflamed nerve inside the tooth, gum disease, a cracked tooth, or an infection. Medicine can ease the pain, or help control a spreading infection temporarily, but it can't repair the tooth itself.
- Pain triggered by biting, hot or cold, or a persistent throbbing toothache
- Local gum or facial swelling, a bad taste or discharge may suggest infection
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- Which tooth or gum area, onset, pain pattern, swelling, discharge and dental treatment planned
- Face or neck swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, reduced mouth opening, fever or serious illness
- Pregnancy, stomach or kidney problems, medicines, allergies and safe pain-relief options
Frequently asked questions
Why do I still need to see a dentist even if pain relief works?
Pain relief, and antibiotics if needed, only manage symptoms or a spreading infection temporarily. Only a dentist can treat the actual cause, such as decay or a cracked tooth.
What does it mean if the same tooth keeps hurting again?
It usually means the underlying dental problem hasn't been fixed yet. Repeated pain relief or antibiotics for the same tooth won't cure it; only completed dental treatment will.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.