Emergency
Emergency Dental Care
At Dentapex, we understand the discomfort that comes with dental emergencies and we prioritize same-day appointments to ensure that you get out of pain as quickly as possible. We know that dental emergencies can happen at any time, so we offer flexible early and late appointment times six days a week.
Our team of experienced dentists provides general and emergency dentistry for all ages, so whether it’s a sporting injury or a sore tooth, we will offer compassionate care to help you feel better. We never judge our patients and welcome anyone who has not visited the dentist in a while, as our main priority is to alleviate your pain and provide the care you need.
Having A Dental Emergency?
call Us Now For An Immediate Appointment With A Dentist.
TOOTHACHE
Toothache is a sign that something is wrong with your tooth and you should never ignore it, even if it seems to initially disappear. It is often caused by an infection that will need dental treatment to clear it up and to hopefully save your tooth. Toothache can take the form of a shooting pain whenever you bite down, or it could be a consistent and throbbing pain.
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What Should I Do If I Have Toothache?
Firstly, try gently flossing around the affected tooth and rinsing your mouth with warm water. Occasionally toothache can be caused by impacted food in between a tooth, pushing it slightly out of place. If this doesn’t help, contact us so we can arrange an emergency appointment for you. We can also offer advice about how to deal with the pain until you come to see us. Some people find using a cold compress helps to ease the pain, or that a warm saltwater rinse is soothing.
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When does Toothache Require Urgent Care?
If your toothache is causing facial swelling, or if you have a fever or feel unwell, please contact us straight away. Possibly, you may have an abscess that requires urgent treatment.
Please don’t put up with a toothache, as we are here to help you and will get rid of the discomfort. Book an appointment online or give us a call right now.
CHIPPED OR BROKEN TEETH
If you can, save any pieces of broken teeth and bring the fragments with you to your appointment. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water to help remove any remaining debris.
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What Should I Do if I Have Facial Swelling or Bleeding?
Use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth or your cheek or lip to reduce any swelling and to help relieve the pain. If the injury has caused bleeding, use a clean piece of gauze or tissue and apply gentle pressure to the wound until it stops bleeding. If the bleeding continues for more than twenty minutes, please contact us or visit the emergency department at your nearest hospital.
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Does it Matter if I Have a Small Chip in a Tooth?
Please don’t ignore chipped or broken teeth! Even if the damage doesn’t seem serious, any chips still need mending. Your teeth are normally protected by a tough outer layer of tooth enamel. Even a minor breach to this enamel allows bacteria to get into your tooth and a small chip to a tooth that could initially have been easily mended may potentially develop into a cavity or even serious tooth infection.
If you chip or crack a tooth, don’t delay! We can restore your smile and your dental health. Please call us today or book an appointment online.
KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH
If you have knocked out a tooth, then you need to act quickly. Sometimes it is possible to re-insert it within the first half an hour to an hour after the accident.
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What Should I Do If I Knock Out a Tooth?
Pick up the tooth, holding it by the crown (the part you normally see in the mouth). Carefully rinse the tooth root, but don’t scrub away any fragments of tissue. If you can, reinsert the tooth making sure it is facing the right way round. Bite down gently on a clean tissue or hold the tooth in place with a clean finger until you can get to Woombye Dental. If you can’t get the tooth back in its socket, then don’t force it. Instead, place it in a small container with a little milk or a saline solution. Alternatively, use plain water with a pinch of salt.
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What Should I Do If My Child Knocks out a Tooth?
If the tooth is permanent, then please follow the advice above. If it is a primary or milk tooth, then please don’t try to re-insert it as this could damage the adult tooth underneath. In both occasions, please bring your child in to see us as soon as you can.
Please contact us immediately if you knock out a tooth and let us take care of you.
EXTRUDED TOOTH
If you have partially dislodged a tooth, then you will need to come and see us as soon as possible. With the correct care, we can often replant the tooth and will repair it if necessary. Extruded teeth may become loose, or a knock could have forced the tooth deeper into the gum tissues.
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What Should I Do Immediately After Dislodging a Tooth?
You can probably feel the tooth is loose, but please try to avoid wiggling it around with your tongue or finger. This could cause the tooth to loosen even more. If you are in pain, take an over-the-counter painkiller and use a cold compress on the outside of your face to relieve swelling.
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How Will a Dentist Save an Extruded Tooth?
Our dentist will closely examine the tooth to assess the damage to the surrounding tissues and to see if the nerves and blood supply are still intact. If they are, then saving the tooth is often straightforward. After thoroughly cleaning the tooth, it can be repositioned and will be held in place with a splint until it has stabilised. If the blood supply is not intact, then root canal treatment might be necessary as infection can set in when the nerves have become damaged.
Please don’t delay if you partially dislodge a tooth, as our caring team is here to help you. Contact us immediately on 1300 376 453
LOST FILLING
If you lose a filling or have an older filling that has begun to crumble away, it is important to get it replaced as soon as you can. A missing filling will allow bacteria to get into your tooth, causing more decay. This could lead to a tooth infection, requiring root canal therapy to prevent tooth loss. It is so much easier and cheaper to simply get that filling renewed, so please contact us for an appointment to see our dentist. We are an amalgam-free dental practice as modern filling materials are healthier for your teeth. Using the latest tooth coloured composite resins, we can nearly invisibly fill a cavity.
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Is There Anything I Can Use to Temporarily Fill a Tooth?
Until you can come and see us, it is possible to insert a small piece of sugar-free chewing gum into the cavity. Another option is to use some temporary cement. You can buy this over-the-counter as part of an emergency dental kit used to temporarily hold a loose crown in place. When a filling falls out, the dentine underneath the filling is exposed and your tooth might feel extra sensitive. Temporarily filling the tooth will help to reduce unwanted sensitivity, particularly when you eat something hot or cold.
If you lose a filling then please call us today. Our friendly dental team will book you an appointment to mend your tooth.
LOST CROWN
If a dental crown falls off, you will need to get it replaced as soon as you can. The tooth underneath the crown will be vulnerable to infection, as a part of its structure will have been removed during preparation for the crown. If you can, save the crown, as it is possible for it to be cleaned and re-cemented back onto your tooth.
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What Should I Do If a Crown Falls Out?
You can buy over-the-counter dental kits containing dental cement, which are safe for temporarily holding a crown in place. If you can’t get hold of temporary cement, a small piece of sugar-free chewing gum or even some toothpaste will do.
While your crown is only temporarily fixed onto your tooth, you will need to be careful when eating. It is best to avoid eating on that side of your mouth, just in case you end up swallowing your crown. Please don’t be tempted to use super glue to stick your crown back onto your tooth! It is not safe to use this glue in your mouth and you will damage your tooth and your crown.
If your crown has fallen out or feels loose, call us today on 1300 376 453, so we can look after you.
BROKEN BRACES / WIRES
Any type of breakage must be professionally repaired as soon as possible. If you delay, then it could affect the efficacy of your orthodontic treatment and may mean it takes longer to complete. Please contact your orthodontist for an appointment if you break a wire or any part of your orthodontic appliance. You should never try to mend an orthodontic appliance yourself as you could end up damaging it beyond repair. Your orthodontist will soon be able to sort out the problem so treatment can continue and they will ensure your braces are properly adjusted.
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What Should I Do Until My Appointment?
If you have broken a wire then try using the eraser from the end of a pencil to gently push the wire so it cannot dig into your cheeks, tongue or gums. If you cannot do this, use a small piece of orthodontic wax to cover up the broken end. Alternatively, cover up the broken wire with a piece of gauze or a cotton wool ball. Please do not cut the loose wire, as this could be dangerous. There is a risk you could end up swallowing the wire, or you might inhale it into your lungs.
If you break a wire then don’t worry, as we will take care of you. Give our friendly dental team a call on 1300 376 453.
LOOSE ORTHODONTIC BRACKET & BANDS
Brackets are cemented onto teeth but can come loose, particularly if you have eaten something very hard or crunchy and which could damage your brace. Bands are also cemented onto teeth and can sometimes become dislodged or loose. Although not a serious problem, brackets and bands should always be professionally repaired. Your orthodontist will soon be able to repair your orthodontic appliance so treatment can continue. Please book an appointment as soon as possible; otherwise, the damage could slow down the progress of your treatment.
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What Should I Do Until I Can See My Orthodontist?
If a bracket falls off, please save it if possible and bring it with you to your appointment, as it may be possible to re-cement it in position. Do not try to re-attach the bracket yourself as they are precisely positioned on each tooth. You might be able to temporarily re-attach a loose brace using a small piece of orthodontic wax. Otherwise, place the orthodontic wax over the brace to act as a cushion. If a band has become loose, please save it so it can be re-cemented or replaced. Any missing orthodontic spacers can also easily be replaced.
If your brace is damaged, our caring dental team is here to help you. Please call us on 1300 376 453, so we can book you an appointment at a convenient time for you.
DENTAL ABSCESS
A dental abscess is an infection that affects the root of a tooth, or it can develop in between the teeth and gums. It is a very serious condition that can damage surrounding tissues and infection can spread, affecting general health.
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What are the Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?
An abscess can cause a severe toothache or the tooth may hurt when chewing. The gum tissue around an abscess can look red and swollen, and there might be a small pimple on the gums. You may notice an increased sensitivity to hot and cold and you might have a persistently nasty taste. Dental abscesses can also make you feel quite unwell. Your neck glands may become swollen and you could have a fever or facial swelling near the affected tooth.
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How is an Abscess Treated?
We will need to drain the abscess to clear up the infection. This may be done through root canal therapy, or sometimes we might have to remove a tooth. You may need antibiotics to help clear up the infection.
If you even suspect you might have an abscess then please contact Dentapex Dentist Padstow. Phone us on 1300 376 453 to talk to our caring dental team.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Injuries to the soft tissues of your mouth can easily bleed. This includes injuries to your cheeks, lips, gums and tongue.
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What Should I Do to Stop a Soft Tissue Injury from Bleeding?
First of all, rinse your mouth with a mild solution of salt water. This will help soothe the injury and will enable you to see the injury more clearly. Try to keep your head tilted forwards as this will help prevent you from swallowing any blood. To stop the bleeding, use a clean piece of moistened gauze to apply gentle but firm pressure to the wound. If the blood soaks through the gauze, apply another piece without removing the first. Hold the gauze in place for fifteen to twenty minutes. Mild bleeding should stop or will significantly slow down during this time. Using a cold compress on the outside of your mouth can help to control bleeding and pain.
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What Should I Do If I Can’t Stop the Bleeding?
If the bleeding fails to stop or to slow down after twenty minutes of applying pressure, come and see us straight away. If it is outside of practice hours, then go to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment. Continue applying pressure on the wound until a doctor can see you.
If you are at all concerned about a soft tissue injury then please call us straight away.
