Don’t neglect a dental injury! Even toothaches require treatment as soon as possible to inspect teeth and prevent further damage. If you are looking for an emergency dentist near me, we can help! Contact our friendly team at 03 9826 3633 to make your appointment or BOOK ONLINE below.
There are times in life when swift action and quick thinking is required. This may be in the case of a fire, an evacuation – but a toothache?
Yes, even toothaches require emergency treatment from time to time. Neglecting dental injuries – such as knocked out, chipped or cracked teeth, or broken dental hardware such as braces, permanent retainers, fillings and crowns – can have serious implications, including cavities, severe pain and perhaps a pricey dental procedure later down the line.
There are times you can handle a tooth crisis on your own – at least until you can make an appointment with your dentist. Here’s what you can do:
Tooth pain has a wide variety of causes, from bruxism (teeth grinding) to cavities, gum disease, an exposed root or even an ear or sinus infection. That’s why it’s important to consult both your doctor and your dentist if you’re having significant, consistent tooth pain.
In the meantime, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen – whichever over-the-counter pain reliever you normally take for headaches and other soreness – can reduce associated pain and inflammation.
A cold compress on the outside of your cheek may also help for pain around the jaws.
If you have the tooth, hold it by the crown and gently rinse any dirt away from the root.
As soon as possible after the tooth has fallen out, we recommend you put the tooth in a small cup of milk, or if possible, saline – this will encourage cell growth and prevent the tooth from drying out. Call your dentist straight away – the sooner you can re-insert the tooth, the better chance you have at saving it.
If you have lost a filling, it is best to contact your dentist straight away, regardless of whether it is hurting or not. Prompt treatment of a lost filling can prevent the need to have more complex and costly treatment down the track.
We also offer dental implants, emergency treatment, cosmetics, Invisalign, sleep dentistry, teeth whitening, and more. To book an online appointment click here or call us.
