What to do in the Event of a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can be caused by a sport-related injury, an accident or even just a nagging toothache, but the one thing they generally have in common is that they are painful or cause discomfort and need immediate attention.

When you are experiencing significant discomfort or pain, it can leave you feeling anxious and generally quite sore, so knowing the best way to treat your dental emergency is really your main priority.

But do you know how to treat knocked-out-teeth compared to what is required for a severe toothache? Read on to find out what you can treat yourself and when you need to see emergency dentists in Perth.

Different Types of Dental Emergencies (and How to Treat Them)

Different emergencies require different treatments to care for your teeth, so it’s important to know which treatment is most appropriate for your issue.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Having a tooth knocked out can be distressing, especially because it generally happens as a result of an accident – such as a sporting injury or fall.

While your automatic response might be to just find the misplaced tooth and pick it up, it is important to handle each knocked-out tooth correctly.

Teeth should be handled by the top, known as the crown, and care should be taken not to rub away any fragments of tissue. If there is dirt or other debris on the tooth, you can carefully rinse the tooth with milk or saliva.

You can attempt to replant the tooth in the open socket, however, if this is not possible, keep the tooth moist by transporting it in a cup of milk, sealing it in cling wrap or keeping it in the patient’s mouth on the inside of the cheek.

The quicker you can seek help from an emergency dentist in Perth, the more chance you have of saving the tooth.

Toothache

The pain from a toothache can be excruciating, so dealing with the ache effectively is key.

If you can’t get to an emergency dentist in Perth and the pain is manageable, rinse out your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food debris caught in between your teeth.
For any swelling around the mouth or jaw, apply an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel to your cheek or outside of your mouth.

If the pain persists, book into see Glen Forrest Dental Care – your trusted emergency dentists in Perth.

Fractures, Cracks & Chips

Sustaining a fracture, crack or chip to a tooth is the type of dental emergency where you may not feel any pain, but it still requires urgent care nonetheless.

Your teeth may crack or chip as a result of biting down of food that is too hard, trauma from an accident or injury, or from severe, untreated dental decay.

If you experience a chip or crack in one of your teeth, you should rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. As above, if there is any swelling, use an ice pack and seek treatment from your dentist as soon as you can to reduce the risk of further issues, such as infections or

Lost Filling or Crown

Dental crowns and fillings can become loose when a cavity develops underneath. This kind of issue can leave you in severe pain, due to the sensitive dentine layer of your tooth being exposed.

If you lose a filling or crown, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to replace it.

Dental Abscess

An abscess is a painful dental condition that occurs when an infection forms around the base, or root, of your tooth in between the teeth and gums.

To help with the pain, you can rinse your mouth regularly with warm salt water, however, this kind of issue needs to be addressed immediately, as an untreated infection can have serious consequences.

Do Emergency Rooms Handle Dental Emergencies?

One of the most common questions patients have is “who can I see if I’m experiencing a dental emergency?” (Also Read: What is Considered a Dental Emergency).

While the emergency room at a hospital might be the logical choice for an emergency, any accidents, infections or issues involving your teeth should generally be dealt with by a dental clinic. As a rule of thumb, get in touch with your local dentist first.

There are a number of emergency dentists in Perth, including Glen Forrest Dental Care, where experienced dentists can give you the best chance of saving your injured tooth or teeth and minimise the risk of infection.

Trust Glen Forrest Dental Care with Your Dental Emergency

In the event of a dental emergency, time is generally of the essence; knowing the location of your trusted emergency dentist in Perth can save precious time and worry.

We are trusted emergency dentists in Perth, servicing customers from across the greater Perth area who trust us for a range of dental services.

Don’t wait until it’s too late, call us or book an appointment now at Glen Forrest Dental Care for reassuring, reliable preventative and emergency dental care.