Emergency dentistry is a special service offered by professional dentists that aims to address dental emergencies that occur without any notice or warning. Most people visit their dentists for regular checkups or scheduled treatments and procedures. However, there are people who visit their dentists without planning it. Unexpected visits to the dentist are quite normal. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 47.9% of the Australian population saw a dentist for a dental emergency in the preceding year.
When are emergency dental services needed?
Dental emergencies vary depending on the person and the severity of the case. Something as simple as a chipped tooth could constitute a dental emergency to someone who really values their facial appearance.
However, if a dental issue is not causing you any pain or discomfort, there’s no need to seek emergency dentistry services.
You would typically seek emergency dentistry services if you have sustained a serious injury to your face or mouth that needs urgent medical attention.
You can always call our and explain your situation so you can determine whether your case is truly a dental emergency or not. We will arrange to see you as soon as possible if you need urgent care.
What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate treatment. It may involve conditions that cause severe pain, infection or directly affect your health. This can include:
- Swelling affecting your mouth, face and/or neck.
- Difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing or breathing (unrelated to COVID-19).
- Damage to your mouth or jaw following an accident or injury causing tooth luxation.
- Severe dental pain that is affecting your sleep and/or does not subside with use of pain-relief medications.
- Tooth fracture where the nerve inside the tooth becomes exposed (which may or may not include bleeding).
- Wire or bracket fractures in orthodontic patients.
- Uncontrolled bleeding post-oral surgery.
Patients referred by a doctor for medically necessary dental care or for urgent dental care prior to surgery that cannot be delayed.
What to do in common emergency dental situations
Swelling
Dental abscesses are pus-filled swellings caused by infection inside a tooth, infection of the gum or trauma to the tooth. If you have a tooth abscess, you may experience:
- a toothache
- pus
- red, swollen gums or face
- a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
- fever
- teeth sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
- swollen glands in the neck
- swollen upper or lower jaw, which indicates serious infection
- difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth
- nausea or vomiting
See your dentist as soon as you can, an abscess will not heal itself and can become very serious if left untreated.
Tooth Luxation
If an adult (permanent) tooth luxation, it can be saved but immediate action is required.
- Remain calm and find the tooth.
- Handle the top of the tooth only (the white part you normally see outside the gum). Never hold the tooth by its roots.
- Do not scrape, rub or remove any tissue fragments from the tooth.
- Make sure the tooth is clean. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in milk or contact lens saline solution. Alternatively, the owner can gently suck the tooth although this is not recommended for young children or adults who are unconscious, in shock or not calm and cooperative.
- Immediately replant the tooth in the socket until you hear a click or the tooth is level with the other teeth. Bite down on a clean cloth to help hold the tooth in place.
- If unable to replant the tooth, keep it moist by putting it in a container of milk or contact lens solution (not water), placing it in the owner’s mouth next to the cheek (if the owner is able), or covering it with a clean plastic wrap with some saliva, if possible.
- Do not let the tooth dry out.
- Seek immediate dental treatment (time is critical).
If a baby (deciduous or milk) tooth loss:
- Do not attempt to replace it in the socket. Re-implanting a knocked-out baby tooth could cause damage to the developing tooth.
- Seek prompt dental treatment so any trauma to the lips and gums can be managed. Take the tooth with you to the dentist.
Severe dental pain
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to remove food debris
- If swelling is present, place a cold compress to the outside of the cheek (do not use heat)
- Control moderate pain with over-the-counter pain medication
- Do not place aspirin on the gum or aching tooth. Aspirin can cause the soft tissue to burn.
- Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.
You may also experience pain in the jaw, head or ear. Sometimes heart pain is mistaken for a toothache, so check your symptoms online or call (02) 9419 5412 if you are experiencing this type of pain.
If you are experiencing any of the dental emergencies discussed above, it is important to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. Waiting to treat a dental emergency can result in further damage and increased pain, so it’s best to get help right away. For more information on emergency dental care, please reach out to our team SunrisedentalChatswood.