What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
We understand that dental emergencies and injuries of any kind are stressful. However, some emergencies are more serious than others, and you must look for other symptoms.
Below, we have highlighted a few more serious dental emergencies, so you know what to do and when to call us or go straight to the emergency room.
Facial impacts
Dental injuries caused by an impact on the head should be treated immediately.
If you experience unconsciousness, dizziness, confusion, nausea or vomiting after suffering a blow to the head, you need to seek medical treatment at the closest hospital emergency room. This could be a sign of a severe concussion and can be life-threatening. If you are caring for someone with a suspected concussion, try to keep the patient awake and present.
If a dental injury occurs without any of the symptoms mentioned above, apply gentle pressure to any mouth bleeds with a clean piece of gauze. If the bleeding doesn’t stop within 20 minutes, seek immediate medical treatment at your nearest hospital emergency room.
Alternatively, call our team of emergency dentists on the Central Coast ASAP. We will assess the injury and provide emergency treatment as needed. We can also arrange future appointments to perform follow-up treatment if required.
Knocked out tooth
If you have knocked out a tooth, be careful not to touch the root. Handle the tooth by the white shiny part (known as the crown) and rinse the root in milk as it contains certain substances that help keep the tooth “alive” including sugars that the cells need to survive, antibacterial agents and proteins to maintain the right balance of acids.
If milk is not available and you are unable to reinsert the tooth, store it in the mouth of the injured person for the best chance of keeping the cells on the root alive. Above all else, do not let the tooth get dry.
Do not try to reinsert a child’s baby tooth.
At the same time, contact our emergency dentists on the Central Coast ASAP. We may be able to fix the tooth within an hour after the accident.
Loose tooth
If your tooth hasn’t been completely knocked out but feels loose, seek an emergency appointment at Advance Family Dental ASAP. If you act fast, we may be able to reset the tooth. We will also take x-rays to determine whether the tooth is likely to heal naturally or if further treatment is required.
Severe toothache
If you are experiencing severe pain in your tooth, mouth or gums, we recommend calling our emergency dentists on the Central Coast. If you are experiencing general pain and it is not an emergency, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the pain in the hours or days leading up to your appointment:
- Rinse your mouth using warm, salty water.
- Gently floss around the sore tooth and ensure no food debris is left between the tooth and the gums.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers.
- If your face is swollen, apply a cold compress to your cheeks to reduce swelling.
Broken braces
The brackets and wires used in braces are quite fragile and tend to break easily. Broken braces can be a serious inconvenience and detrimental to your treatment. If you discover broken braces, press the offending wire back into place using orthodontic wax. Let the edges stay covered until you can see the dentist.
Why should I choose Advance Family Dental in the event of an emergency?
At Advance Family Dental, we never take a dental emergency lightly. Patients experiencing a dental emergency are our top priority as we understand the stress, anxiety and pain that comes with it. We want to alleviate these unpleasant feelings and treat the issue as soon as possible to save the tooth and maintain your appearance, confidence and dental health.
We always keep emergency appointments available throughout the day to ensure we can treat patients with dental injuries and emergencies ASAP.
Plus, our emergency dentists on the Central Coast know how to act fast to save a tooth (or teeth). Advance Family Dental was established in 2006 by Doctor Scott Speirs and Doctor Arjun Jegananthan — since then, our team has grown to include Doctor James Michael El-Khoury. Together, our dentists have decades of combined experience and have responded to hundreds of dental emergencies.
No matter the emergency, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands with our team of emergency dentists on the Central Coast.
FAQs about our emergency dentists on the Central Coast
+ Should I visit Advance Family Dental or the hospital first?
It depends on the type of emergency. If you are experiencing concussion symptoms or you are bleeding from the mouth and it won’t stop, we recommend heading straight to the hospital. You may need to be monitored or require stitches/surgical intervention for wounds that won’t stop bleeding.
If you have knocked out a tooth, are not bleeding, or are in excruciating pain, we recommend calling us. We’ll find an appointment for you ASAP.
+ What should I do if I have a cracked or fractured tooth?
Cracked or fractured teeth can usually be restored, so there’s no need to panic. If the tooth is particularly painful leading up to your dentist appointment, avoid hot and cold food and beverages, and avoid chewing with that tooth. Painkillers like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol may also help relieve the pain.
+ What should I do if I knock out a crown?
Keep your crown safe so it can be recemented and restored as soon as possible. This will avoid damage and the need for root canal treatment. Meanwhile, contact our team to book an appointment.
+ What should I do if I have lost or broken my dentures?
Dentures can be repaired or replaced fairly easily. If you have broken your dentures, however, resist the urge to glue them back together — this can make repairs extremely difficult, if not impossible. Instead, contact us to book a repair at Advance Family Dental. We can repair your dentures in-house on the day of your appointment.
+ What should I do if I chip a tooth?
If you chip a tooth, try to find the tooth so you can bring it to your emergency appointment. We may be able to cement the chip back into place. Remember to store your tooth in a glass of milk if you cannot safely store it in your mouth until you reach our practice.
+ I had my wisdom teeth removed and my stitches have fallen out. Is this an emergency?
Most stitches dissolve on their own within two to seven days and do not need to be removed, so this is reasonably normal and not an emergency. However, the stitches should ideally remain in place until the wound has healed — otherwise, you can introduce bacteria into the extraction hole and cause infection. If your stitches are coming out prematurely and you are concerned, please contact our team for information and advice. We may book you in and assess the situation.
