Dental
Emergencies
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Common dental emergencies and first aid
Knowing what to do before dental emergencies arise is key to responding with the right strategy. Precisely what you do next could mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
Steps to take in a dental emergency
Are you experiencing a sudden and severe toothache, or have you accidentally chipped or broken a tooth? These situations should be treated as dental emergencies, with prompt action taken to alleviate pain and prevent further complications. At Complete Dental Works in Annerley, we recognise the urgency of such cases and are committed to delivering timely and effective treatment.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation involving the mouth, teeth or jaw that demands immediate medical attention. Emergency scenarios have a range of symptoms:
- RSevere pain or discomfort
- RUncontrolled bleeding from the mouth or gums
- RVisible damage to teeth or jaws, such as fractures, chips or dislodged teeth
- RSigns of infection, including swelling, fever or the presence of pus
Prompt intervention in dental emergencies is vital for several reasons:
- RMinimising pain and discomfort to reduce distress and facilitate rest.
- RPreventing the spread of infection throughout the mouth and to other parts of the body.
- RSalvaging damaged teeth with immediate treatment such as root canal therapy or tooth reattachment.
- RReducing the risk of long-term complications that may necessitate more expensive or invasive dental procedures in the future.
Severe toothache
- Causes: Tooth decay, infection, gum disease, cracked teeth
What to do: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, carefully floss to remove any trapped food particles, and apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling. Contact your CDW dentist promptly for pain relief medication to manage discomfort until your emergency appointment.
Cracked or broken tooth
Types of fractures:
- Chipped tooth: Minor damage to the enamel
- Cracked tooth: Deeper fracture that may not cause immediate pain
- Cusp fracture: Breakage of the chewing surface
- Root fracture: Most serious fracture, involving the tooth's root
What to do: In the case of a cracked or broken tooth, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Save broken pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Seek urgent, professional attention to address the issue.
Knocked-out tooth
What to do: If you’ve had a tooth knocked out, act swiftly. Locate the tooth, hold it by the crown (not the root) and rinse it gently with water (avoid scrubbing). If possible, attempt to gently reinsert the tooth into its socket. If not, preserve the tooth in milk or saline solution. Seeking immediate attention from your CDW dentist within 60 minutes can significantly increase the chances of saving the tooth.
Dental abscess
Symptoms: Throbbing toothache, facial swelling, fever and a bad taste in the mouth. If you experience these symptoms, it’s crucial to take action promptly.
What to do: To alleviate swelling, apply a warm compress to the affected area. However, seeking immediate attention is vital to effectively addressing the infection. At Complete Dental Works, we can help alleviate your discomfort, treat underlying causes and prevent the spread of infection.
Lost or broken dental restoration
This includes crowns, fillings or veneers.
What to do: Preserve the restoration if possible. Address any sharp edges with dental wax or sugarless gum for temporary relief. Quickly schedule an appointment for replacement to maintain oral health and functionality.
Severe soft tissue injury
This includes bitten lips, tongue lacerations or bleeding gums.
What to do: Apply gentle pressure with gauze to control bleeding. For lacerations, clean the wound with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. It’s crucial to promptly schedule an emergency appointment to properly address the injury and prevent infection.
When to see your dentist
Immediately seeking professional dental care is vital to getting your best outcome in any dental emergency. Even seemingly minor issues, such as chipped teeth, could indicate underlying complications. At Complete Dental Works, we offer comprehensive diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment to effectively address your problem and safeguard your oral health.
Emergency dental care in Annerley
At Complete Dental Works, we prioritise the urgency of dental emergencies and aim to deliver prompt and effective solutions. Here’s how we can assist you:
Emergency appointments are key. We strive to accommodate emergency cases and will do our best to see you as soon as possible.
Pain management can help. We can provide prescriptions for pain medication to help manage discomfort until your comprehensive treatment plan is established.
Preventing dental emergencies
There are many helpful things you can do in your daily routine to give your oral health a fighting chance should a dental emergency arise. Consider these essential tips:
- RMaintain excellent oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice daily and floss every day to eliminate plaque buildup and lower the risk of tooth decay.
- RSchedule routine dental check-ups and cleanings: Regular visits to your dentist enable early detection and treatment of any emerging issues, helping to prevent emergencies.
- RWear protective gear during sports activities: For those in contact sports, wearing mouthguards significantly reduces the likelihood of dental injuries.
- RUtilise night guards for teeth grinding: If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), wearing night guards can protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding while you sleep.
Book your emergency appointment now!
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office immediately to schedule an appointment.
We prioritise emergency cases and offer pain management options to get you feeling better as soon as possible. Remember, a prompt response can minimise damage and ensure the best possible outcome for your oral health.
Complete Dental Works Active Teeth Maintenance Program.
Active maintenance For your oral health & hygiene needs
At Complete Dental Works, our Active Teeth Maintenance Program is an inclusive part of our regular Dental Check-up Services – customised to fit in with your unique oral health needs and lifestyle.
Keep your teeth stay strong, clean, healthy, and bright with regular dental check ups under our ATM program every 6 months.
Click on the booking button below to get started –
Step 1
Full Mouth Examinations
Full mouth examinations -
Protect and uphold your oral health! Check for decay, cavities and gum disease.
Step 2
Scale, Polish & Clean
Scale, Clean and Polish
Remove tartar and plaque build-up. Smoothen surface imperfections to prevent plaque.
Step 3
Oral Care and Hygiene
Oral Care and Hygiene
Remove and prevent the daily build-up of plaque and tartar!
Step 4
Fissure Sealants
Fissure Sealants
Seal and protect deep grooves and fissures in your teeth!
Related Preventative
Dental Treatments
View our other preventative dental services designed to keep your mouth and body clean and healthy>
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We are preferred providers for:
Complete Dental Works is an accredited dental clinic and preferred provider for Bupa, Medibank Private(Members’ Choice Advantage), HCF, NIB, CBHS and all major health funds.
We accept all major health funds.
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Safe, professional oral care
Complete Dental Works has been accredited by the Australian Dental Association for years and have adopted the National Safety and Quality Health Service(NSQHS) Standards for dentistry into our practice environment.
By following these NSQHS standards, Complete Dental Works aims to continuously improve the quality and safety of our dental care and service – for you and your family.
Where are we?
Location - COMPLETE DENTAL WORKS
627 Ipswich Rd, Annerley QLD 4103
Hours
Email Us
info@completedentalworks.com.au