Emergency Dentistry
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At Warrnambool Smile Dental, we understand that dental emergencies can be extremely distressing and painful. That's why we make it our priority to provide same-day appointments for patients who are experiencing dental emergencies.
We take the health and safety of our patients seriously and are aware that dental infections can turn serious, causing severe pain, if left untreated. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you seek emergency dental care immediately if you experience toothache or any other dental emergencies.
We also offer flexible payment plans so that you can receive the care you need without worrying about the cost.
Emergency Dentist In Warrnambool
Most of us are aware of what to do when we have sudden swellings or fractured hands and legs after being knocked out or if there is sudden chest pain. We all run to the emergency; we always keep the emergency number of a nearby hospital accessible so we can rush there. But how many of us keep a contact number of an emergency dentist? Do you know the nearby emergency dental clinic if you need to rush there?
Dental emergencies can occur suddenly and unexpectedly, making it very important to have the contact details of a nearby emergency dentist readily available. But what exactly is considered a dental emergency? By being prepared and knowing what a dental emergency is, you can ensure that you receive the prompt and effective care you need to address any unexpected dental situations.
What Is A Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation involving your oral health that requires immediate attention to alleviate pain, prevent further damage or address a severe dental issue. Seeking prompt professional care is vital whenever a dental emergency arises.
What Is Considered A Dental Emergency?
You can ask a few questions before contacting an emergency dental clinic.
- Is the toothache severe and bleeding profusely?
- Did a sudden impact result in you losing a tooth?
- Is there an infection in your mouth like an abscess and is it causing your face and gums to swell?
- Unexpected bleeding from your mouth for no reason?
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should look for urgent dental care.
What To Do During A Dental Emergency
There are several types of dental emergencies that may require you to go to an emergency dental clinic. But it’s also important to learn the necessary steps to take during a dental emergency in order to minimise the damage to your teeth, prevent (further) tooth loss & maintain overall health.
Remember quick action is vital during a dental emergency. Always contact our dentist for guidance based on your unique situation.
Types Of Dental Emergencies
& How You Can Help
There are several types of dental emergencies that can require you to go to an emergency dental clinic. But it would also be beneficial if you knew how to take care of the emergency when it happens, so you do not lose the tooth.
Toothaches
Toothache is common, but rarely it happens without a cause. It can be quite uncomfortable and a painful experience. Some of the common reasons for toothache can be due to:
- Tooth decay
- Tooth fractures
- Tooth trauma
- An eruption of the wisdom tooth (adolescence)
- Infection
- Gum problems
- A dental abscess
- A cracked or damaged tooth
- A broken or loose filling
You alleviate the pain by following these steps:
- Clean the affected area with warm water
- Check if there is any food lodged in the area and remove them by using a clean finger, floss, or toothbrush
- If the area is swollen use a cold compress
- Avoid hot or cold foods
- Elevate your head slightly when lying down
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen following recommendation
- Go to the dentist immediately
Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed)
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, an adult can get their tooth knocked out entirely. If it happens, go to urgent dental care immediately, time is crucial in such a case to save your tooth. A dentist will try to reimplant the tooth after determining the severity of the trauma.
Here’s how you can help:
- Recover the tooth but do not touch the root of the tooth.
- Rinse the debris and dirt off the tooth but do not scrape or scrub the tooth
- You can apply gentle pressure to put the tooth back into the original socket or place it in the cheek pouch.
- Keep the tooth wet until the reimplantation is done.
If the tooth cannot be saved and needs extraction, then dental implant treatment may be recommended upon assessment.
Dental Intrusion (Tooth Pushed Into Jawbone)
A tooth or several of them can move upwards into the jawbone due to dental trauma. Such a case can be severe as it might fracture the socket or might misalign the tooth/teeth. Look for an emergency dentist near you and go there immediately. A dentist might wait to see if the tooth descends back to its position naturally depending on the condition or to save the structure can perform root canal treatment.
You can help by:
- Rinse your mouth with cold water
- Place ice packs around the affected areas
- Go to our emergency dentist as soon as possible
Tooth Displacement (Luxation, Extrusion):
Tooth displacement refers to a situation where your tooth has been shifted from its normal position within a dental arch. This can be due to trauma, injury or certain medical conditions. There are different types of tooth displacement, they are luxation, extrusion, and lateral displacement.
- Luxation: The tooth while in the socket gets angled in an unnatural way with a protrusion that has led to a fractured jawbone. In some cases, the pulp can be intact.
- Extrusion: The tooth partly is removed from the socket. For preventing any infection, emergency treatment is needed.
- Lateral displacement: The tooth is shifted sideways from its usual position within your dental arch.
Here’s how you can help:
- Around the affected area place a cold and moist compress.
- Avoid touching the tooth. Do not force the tooth back into its normal position.
- Stick to a soft diet to minimise distress.
- Administer paediatric-approved pain relief medicine.
- Go to the emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Broken Tooth (Crown Fracture):
In most cases, the crown is affected when a tooth sustains trauma. To check the condition and the fracture of the crown, an x-ray is done, and it is treated accordingly. A dentist will determine whether to use a sealant or have a pulp treatment depending on the severity of the fracture. You can also see that if the crown is fractured, your tooth can become yellow or pink, which means it needs emergency treatment.
Here’s how you can help:
- If possible, collect the broken pieces
- If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure using a clean cloth or gauze
- Place a cold compress around the affected area
- Go to the emergency dentist as soon as possible
Root Fracture:
Only a dental X-ray can determine a root trauma. The naked eye can not identify it. Root trauma is caused due to direct injury to the teeth. A dentist will determine the treatment procedure by analysing the severity of the fracture.
Here’s how you can help:
- Place a cold compress around the affected area
- Refrain from touching the tooth as it may cause additional damage.
- Stick to a soft diet to minimise stress on the tooth.
- Go to the emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Dental Concussion
While a dental concussion is common among children and toddlers, it can happen to adults too. The tooth is not dislodged or fractured but turns dark or black. This means the tooth is dying and needs to be treated urgently.
Contact us if you suffer from severe swelling around the gums, bleeding, and sudden pain in the jaws or teeth. Our experienced emergency dentists in Warrnambool will advise you on how to handle such an emergency until you go to the dentist.
We also advise that you find affordable dental care for treating your teeth on a regular basis to have overall good oral health. At times emergencies caused due to tooth decay and periodontal diseases can be avoided with routine dental care and visiting a dentist at least twice every year.
Emergency Dentistry at Warrnambool Smile Dental
At Warrnambool Smile Dental, our clinic is not just a place for treatment; it’s a warm, friendly and welcoming environment where we put your comfort and care first. Our dedicated staff is not only highly skilled but also very gentle. We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful, which is why we’re here to provide you with the best support and expertise.
We are equipped with state of the art technology to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. Whether you have a sudden toothache, a dental injury or any other emergency, you can count on us as we will help you through those unexpected moments when you need help most.
We also offer a wide range of other dental services such as general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, children’s dentistry, dental implants and much more to cater to all your dental needs. So book your appointment today!
Our Principal Dentist
DR. JOSEPH MOON
BDSC. (HONS) – UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
PRINCIPAL DENTIST
At Warrnambool Smile Dental, we take dental emergencies very seriously and it is our policy to offer a same-day appointment for dental emergencies for existing and new patients. We do this because we are aware dental infections can cause severe pain and also become life-threatening.
If you have sustained toothache, although it may be tempting to just take some painkillers or go to your GP for antibiotics, these are only temporary measures and it is very important that you visit your dentist as soon as possible.
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