Emergency Dentist

Emergency Dentists Homebush

Tooth Ache

If you have a persistent toothache, you should try to see a dentist as soon as you can.  In the meantime, rinse well and try to remove any food that may be trapped in the area (use floss or interdental brushes if required).  If there is a swelling, place a cold pack on the outside of the cheek.  Take pain relief as required (make sure you ingest the tablets – do not place tablets directly on the tooth as this may damage your teeth, gums and cheeks).

Chipped Tooth /Cracked Tooth

Chipped/Cracked teeth may manifest as sharp and erratic pain upon chewing or after release of biting pressure. Not all cracks cause pain, but if you find your tooth is painful when you chew on grainy foods, a crack may be the culprit.  You may also experience pain or discomfort when the crack is exposed to changes in temperature or sweet foods.  If the crack extends below the gum, you may also get a pocket of gum disease down the cracked surface.  If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, please call up and come in and see us so we can advice you on the best way to proceed.

Abscess

If you can see some white exudate or pus around a tooth, it is a sign that there is an infection at this tooth.  It could be coming from the tooth itself if you have a deep decay or it could be from gum disease.  If you see pus around a tooth, please come in and see us as soon as you can.  In the mean time, gently massaging the area and using warm salt water rinses can help control the signs and symptoms.

Bleeding After Extraction

Some bleeding after an extraction is normal.  If there is a very small amount of blood, just swallow it with your saliva.  If there is a steady flow of blood from your extraction socket after you go home apply pressure by biting firmly on gauze or a clean handkerchief for twenty minutes.  If bleeding persists despite firm pressure for 20 minutes call us immediately, or if you can’t get in touch with us, go to your local emergency department and make sure they can confirm there is no reason to be concerned.

Broken Tooth

See a dentist as soon as you can.  In the meantime, clean out any debris with warm water.  If it was caused by trauma, use a cold pack on the outside of the face to minimise swelling.  If there is a piece that is missing, try to find it and bring it in when you come to see us (keep the pieces moist).  It may be possible in some cases to bond the broken parts of the tooth almost invisibly onto the remaining tooth structure.

Lost Crowns/Veneers

If a crown/veneer falls off your tooth, firstly, don’t try to put it back on because if you put it on without it being bonded on by a dentist, you risk either swallowing or breathing it in.  Call us and let us know your crown has fallen off and we will try to book you in as soon as possible to put the crown back on if possible.  If it has fallen off because there is decay under the crown, it is not possible to just bond the crown back on, instead the decay will have to be removed and the tooth needs to be stabilised before the crown can be re-bonded.

Lost Filling

If a filling falls out, please come in and see us straight away.  Even if there is no pain, it is important to get the tooth repaired as soon as possible.  If you leave it for too long, it is possible that parts of the tooth might break off.  Also, an unfilled tooth is a food trap in which debris collects and this may lead to further tooth decay and cavitation.

Facial Swelling

Swelling usually develops after some sort of injury, a cut, a bite, sting or a dental abscess, however, sometimes there may be no known cause.  There will be a localised area of redness, swelling, heat and sometimes pain.  There could be an associated throbbing pain or a fever.  If there is a swelling, sometimes the local anaesthesia we use might not work effectively.  Despite this, if the cause is an infected tooth, it needs to be removed for the swelling to resolve.  Swelling (especially from a lower tooth) is a serious situation as it may lead to a compromised airway.  If you have any breathing or swallowing difficulties, go straight to your local emergency department.  If there is no breathing or swallowing difficulty, please call up and come in to see us as soon as possible as we need to identify the cause of the problem and remove it as soon as we can.

Loose Tooth Following Trauma

Tooth still in place:

If a tooth has been knocked but does not fall out, there is usually no need for treatment, however, it is still advisable that you get your dentist to look at it and take some X-rays to check that there are no hidden problems.  You may notice there is some bleeding around that tooth and it may be loose.  It may be necessary for us to put a splint in that area to stabilise the tooth if required.

Tooth knocked out of mouth:

If your tooth has been knocked completely out of the socket.  Pick it up by the white part that’s usually visible in the mouth (not the root).  If you can’t get to a dentist straight away, and if the tooth is dirty, wash it for 10s in cold water and reposition in the socket (bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position).  If not, store in some milk or in your own saliva until you get to our dental office.  DO NOT STORE IN WATER.  The sooner the tooth is replanted into the socket, the higher it’s chance of survival so please make an urgent appointment with a dentist.

Tooth has moved in the mouth:

If your tooth has changed position in your mouth after a traumatic event, you need to see a dentist as soon as you can.  We may need to reposition the tooth in your mouth under anaesthesia if required.  We may also need to place a splint in that area in order to stabilise the tooth.

Loose Wire From Braces Or Retainers

Broken Dentures

If you find that your denture is too loose or too tight or if it is broken or if teeth have fallen out, bring them into us and we will repair the denture as soon as we can.  Many of the repairs can be done in the chair, but in some cases we may need to send it through to the laboratory to get repaired.  In any case, we will do our best to ensure you get your teeth back as soon as it is feasible to do so.

Sometimes dentures may feel uncomfortable and loose if there has been changes to your mouth or teeth resulting from age or worn teeth.  When you bring your denture in for a repair, we will assess how it is fitting in your mouth and may recommend a reline or a new denture in some instances.

In any of the above emergency situations please call our Emergency Dentists Sydney on 02 8084 7242 and we will ensure a same day dental appointment where possible to treat your emergencies.