Dental Emergency

What to do in a Dental Emergency

Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Here are some quick tips for common dental emergencies:

Do Not Panic
For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums or place the tooth in milk. Then, call us right away on 1300 625 625.
For a chipped or cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down.

If you are dealing with a chipped or cracked tooth, you should try to keep the broken fragment in its original condition as best as you can.

First, clean the area around the broken tooth and gently remove any food debris or foreign particles (i.e. sand or dirt) by rinsing the area of the mouth with warm water or mild salt solution.

If there’s bleeding, try to stop it by applying a moistened gauze square to the affected area. Apply gentle but firm pressure for about 10 minutes or until bleeding stops. Should bleeding persist after 20 minutes, contact a dentist immediately.

Next, immediately locate the missing tooth and put it into a glass of milk or saltwater solution. That would keep the tooth safe and protected until a dentist reattaches it to the original tooth socket.

If the tooth is reattached within an hour of it falling out, there is a much better chance of saving it. Call us immediately on 1300 625 625.

If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.
For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.
If you are experiencing severe pain with swollen gums around the affected tooth, you probably have an infection.
Toothaches caused by the bacterial disease known as dental caries do not go away with painkillers. They must be treated immediately or may result in demineralization of the tooth and lead to more serious complications.
Toothaches may also be caused by irregular eruption of a wisdom tooth or development of gum abscesses. Other types include jaw pains or a tooth that hurts only when you’re chewing on something.
For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.
For Dislodged Crowns and fillings try to slip the crown back into the original position and secure it with toothpaste and immediately call us. Do not attempt to reattach the broken or loosened restoration with glue or any over-the-counter adhesive product.
If you have lost a filling, temporarily fill the spot with sugarless gum and immediately contact us.
Do not you drink or eat hot/ cold food and drinks. Also avoid chewing your food on the side of your mouth with the dislodged filling or crown.
When you have a dental emergency, it’s important to call us as soon as possible.

Here are some simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:

Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack your teeth.
Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact Dental 359 in Subiaco immediately on 1 300 625 625.

Contact us to set up your preventative care program

Please call our team at Dental 359 on 1 300 625 625 or email us on smile@dental359.com.au to book your professional cleaning and examination appointment.

Dental Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth or floss, what does this mean?

Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation caused from plaque, a sticky film containing bacteria sitting on the teeth and along the gum line. When teeth aren’t brushed adequately the bacteria causes Gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. This includes swollen/ puffy gums, darkened red in colour, bleeding and can be painful. Gingivitis is reversible through good brushing 2 times a day and flossing once a day. If bleeding occurs when you floss don’t be discouraged this is a sign that you need to floss more. You aren’t doing any damage to the gums and after a short time the bleeding will stop and your gums will become a lot healthier.

We’ve written a blog containing some great tips for flossing and brushing your teeth. See more here.

Manual vs electric toothbrush

New studies have shown that electric toothbrushes clean teeth and gums better than a manual toothbrush. Scientists have found that they achieve healthier gums and less tooth decay. The oscillating motion of an electric toothbrush allows the user to hold the brush lightly on the tooth and allow to brush to clean rather than using a scrubbing motion. This helps minimise gum recession and wear on the teeth. Bec (our Dental Hygienest) and Dr Golestani both recommend switching to an electric toothbrush, and find patients that make the switch not only have better oral health but love their new brush and wish they made the switch years ago!

Can I whiten my teeth?

Whitening you teeth is a great options to improve your smiles appearance and achieve a brighter look. Before your whitening appointment you will need to undergo an examination and a scale and clean. Unfortunately not all patients are suitable to have whitening, such as patients with anterior crowns or restorations, as they won’t lighten. Patients with tooth decay or demineralisation, pregnant patients and children. Ask Bec or Dr Hooman Golestani if you are suitable for whitening at your next scale and clean!