What is considered to be a dental emergency?

Any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, save a tooth or prevent severe infection is considered to be a dental emergency.

Tooth knockout

If you have a tooth that has been knocked out due to trauma, it’s important that you contact us straight away on 5978 0595 or our emergency after hours number 0428 989 182.  In the meantime, you should complete the following steps:

• Wash the tooth in water
• Place the tooth in milk or glad wrap
• Review the area for bleeding from the gums or lips and advise us when you call
• Try to keep the patient calm and offer pain relief

Lost crown or veneer

If your crown or veneer has come off, put it in a safe place and avoid consuming things that make the tooth hurt. In many cases we are able to re-cement the crown without making a new one. Regardless of whether you feel pain or not, it is important to contact us right away as your tooth has lost support and is vulnerable to further damage.

Bitten tongue or lip

The first thing we recommend in the case of a bitten tongue or lip area is to clean the area with a cloth and apply cold compression to reduce bleeding and swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop go to an emergency hospital department without delay. If bleeding does stop, keep the area clean by rinsing with warm salty water at regular intervals to aid healing and book at appointment at Somersmiles so we can assess the area.

Toothache

If you have a toothache, please give us a call and we’ll make your appointment a priority. In the meantime, use dental floss to ensure there is no debris caught between the teeth. Avoid extreme temperatures and biting in the area when eating. Ask your pharmacist for pain relief/anti-inflammatory medication (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen). If the toothache is severe, you can also ask your doctor for some antibiotics.

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