Ever wondered what a dental emergency is? It’s any dental issue that calls for a prompt intervention. You’ll usually encounter dental emergencies suddenly, and at the most unexpected time. For residents in Macquarie, Belconnen, and surrounding ACT suburbs, knowing where to turn is vital. You must’ve heard of someone waking up in the middle of the night due to a sharp toothache. Other examples include dental or soft tissue (lips, tongue, gums, cheeks) injuries during a meal, after a fall, while playing sports, or after a road-traffic accident.
Dental emergencies can make you feel anxious if you don’t know what to expect and how to prepare for them. This article from the team at Macquarie Dental Care is all about the common dental emergencies and the steps taken to prepare yourself till you reach your dentist’s clinic.
What are the Common Dental Emergencies?
- Severe, sharp toothache that won’t respond to over-the-counter painkillers.
- Persistent bleeding that won’t stop after trauma to the soft tissues.
- Damage to the teeth, such as knocked-out, partially displaced (extruded), or chipped
- Infection or abscess (pus) formation.
- Lost fillings or crowns, and broken braces or wires.
- Fractured or displaced jaw after falls or accidents.
If left untreated, all these conditions can become even worse, leading to more complications and probably a complex and costly treatment plan later. It’s always better to contact an after-hours emergency dentist if you’re not sure whether your condition is urgent or not.
How to Prepare for Emergency Dental Care?
When you’re in a difficult situation like a severe toothache or continuous bleeding, preparation would be the last thing you’d want to do. However, a few simple steps can make your emergency dental visit process much smoother and more comfortable.
Here’s a breakdown of how to prepare yourself for emergency dental care:
Toothache
If you’re experiencing a sudden, sharp toothache that wakes you up from your sleep and doesn’t settle down with over-the-counter painkillers, you probably need to see an emergency dentist immediately.
To prepare, first rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply an ice pack if you notice any swelling outside your cheeks. Never apply any medicine directly to your gums near the painful tooth because it can burn your gums.
Contact your dentist as soon as possible. If the clinic is closed, residents in Bruce, Kaleen, and Lawson should contact an after-hours provider in the Belconnen area.
Bleeding
Your tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips may bleed after a fall or an accident. Take the following steps to stop bleeding:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water).
- Use a clean gauze or a tea bag to apply pressure for 15 to 20 minutes on the bleeding spot. Tea contains tannic acid, which shrinks blood vessels and helps stop bleeding.
- Apply an ice pack on the cheek outside the bleeding spot for 5 to 10 minutes.
If the bleeding still doesn’t stop, you’re advised to seek emergency dental care. Maintain the pressure on the area of heavy bleeding until you are attended to by an emergency dentist.
Many families come to us after a routine check-up & clean reveals underlying issues that lead to sudden pain, so staying proactive is always best.
Damaged Teeth
- Knocked-out Tooth: A knocked-out tooth means a tooth that is completely displaced out of the tooth socket as a result of a forceful impact directly to your face, such as during sports, and after accidents or falls. Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that usually shows), and carefully wash it. Don’t aggressively scrub it or detach any attached bits of tissue. If possible, try to put it back in the socket facing in the right direction. Otherwise, store it in a small container of milk or water with a pinch of table salt and rush to your dentist. The knocked-out permanent teeth can be successfully restored if they’re presented to the dentist’s office within an hour or less.
- Partially Displaced Teeth: Sometimes, the tooth becomes partially loose. This condition also requires you to see your dentist immediately. To relieve pain in the meantime, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth and take over-the-counter painkillers if necessary.
- Chipped/Cracked Teeth: If you can find chipped pieces, try to save them. Rinse with warm water, and carefully wash the fragments. If there’s bleeding, try to manage it as mentioned above. A cold compress applied to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the cracked/chipped tooth helps to reduce the swelling and pain. Consult an emergency dental specialist as quickly as possible.
Infection or Abscess
Cavities are a very common dental condition. If left untreated, they may lead to serious tooth infections and abscess formation. An abscess is a painful collection of pus commonly seen around the roots of infected teeth. In many cases, root canal treatment is necessary to save the natural tooth. An abscess usually presents as a pimple-like swelling on the gum opposite the infected tooth. Rinsing with warm salt water can help soothe your pain until you arrive at your dentist’s office.
Lost or Damaged Restorations
For people with braces, it’s very common for the wire or bands to become loose or even break. Broken wires are sharp and can hurt lips and gums. In that case, cover the sharp end of the wire with a clean cotton ball or a gauze until you reach your orthodontist’s office.
If the crown comes off, set an appointment with your dentist immediately. Don’t forget to take your crown along. If you can’t visit the dentist immediately and your tooth is sensitive, apply a little clove oil with a clean piece of gauze.
Before visiting Macquarie Dental Care, you can try to put the crown back in place using an over-the-counter dental cement or even toothpaste to hold it temporarily.
What to Expect at an Emergency Dentist and the Cost of Emergency Dental Care
That’s a genuine concern. At our clinic, led by Dr Sandeep Peddi, the consultation usually starts with asking about your symptoms, followed by a complete examination. The main focus during the first visit is on temporary measures taken for pain relief, stabilising the tooth, and protecting the emergency from getting worse. The dentist may also take X-rays if needed.
The initial consultation will cost you around $120. The costs of further treatment may vary depending on the nature of the injury and the type of procedure required for a particular patient.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies usually occur unexpectedly, without any warning signs. But prior knowledge about how to prepare yourself to face such situations makes all the difference. If you know when to proceed to a dentist and what to expect during an emergency dental visit, you’ll stay calm and composed.
Don’t hesitate to visit our emergency dentist Belconnen services. We have a highly competent team experienced in proficiently handling emergency situations for families in Macquarie, Weetangera, and Cook.
Book an Emergency Appointment Today
If you or any of your family members is experiencing a dental emergency, don’t take it lightly. Macquarie Dental Care in Macquarie (Belconnen) is here to help. Our experienced team, led by Dr. Sandeep Peddi, provides urgent care to patients across the ACT, including Bruce, Kaleen, and Lawson. Whether it is a severe toothache or a knocked-out tooth, we prioritise getting you out of pain.
We provide a comprehensive range of care, from a routine check-up & clean using advanced EMS Airflow technology to urgent tooth extractions or root canal treatment when they are needed most.
Emergencies can be scary for parents and children alike, which is why we serve as a reassuring Kids Dentist in Belconnen. Many urgent treatments for eligible children can be covered under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), allowing our team to focus on getting your child out of pain and back to their happy selves.
Book your appointment online or call us today to resolve your symptoms before they worsen.
