A dental emergency is pain,swelling or severe discomfort from your mouth.
If you are unsure whether you are having a true dental emergency, answer the following questions:
- Are you in severe pain?
- Are you bleeding from your mouth?
- Are your teeth loose?
- Have you been hit in the mouth/face?
- Do you have any swelling in the mouth/face area?
- Do you have any swellings or bulges on your gums near your teeth?
Severe infections or abscesses in the mouth can be life-threatening and needs to be treated immediately.
My tooth broke. How soon can you see me?
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, only emergency dental care is permitted. Therefore, if the broken tooth is causing pain, swelling or severe discomfort, you can contact us and we will try to book you in as soon as possible.
How can I relieve toothache at home?
Toothache is dental emergency, please contact one of our practices to be seen ASAP.
You can take pain-relief medication like Panadol or Nurofen which can help to reduce to intensity of pain. You can gently brush and floss your teeth to remove any food debris.
What do I do if I chipped, cracked or fractured my tooth?
If the tooth has cracked or fractured and is causing pain, this is a dental emergency. If the fracture is very severe, sometimes a tooth cannot be saved. Make an appointment dentist immediately for an assessment and treatment.
Avoid eating hard food on that area and ensure good brushing and flossing if possible to keep the area clean.
What do I do if I have tissues injuries or facial pain?
Any type of tissue injury in the mouth i.e. tears, lacerations, puncture wounds are considered a dental emergency.
If there is bleeding, use a cloth or cotton gauze to apply firm pressure on the bleeding area for 20 minutes. Avoid activity that elevates the heart rate.
If the injury is within your mouth only, book an appointment with the dentist. If you also have other injuries on your face and body, go to the hospital emergency room.
What do I do if my temporary crown fell off?
A loose or fallen off temporary crown can have implications and lead to a tooth ache.
If the crown is intact, try and keep it preserved somewhere safe.
Call us immediately to have the crown re-cemented or a new temporary crown made.
What should I do if I knocked out a tooth?
If this occurs, you want to see the dentist immediately. Hold the crown portion of the tooth and gently rinse it in water. Do not scrub the tooth as you want to keep it intact. Ideally, insert the tooth back into its socket in your mouth. If you cannot do this, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water and bring it to the dentist immediately. Time is a very critical factor in saving the tooth!
If you are still unsure, we encourage you to call us and a friendly member of our team will be able to provide advice regarding whether or not a dentist visit is required.