Dental emergencies can occur to anyone, anywhere, and for various reasons. Our dentists at Perth-Andover can help you determine if you're experiencing a dental emergency or not.
About Dental Emergencies
If you have an issue with your teeth, mouth, or gums that needs immediate dental attention, it's considered a dental emergency. This may involve:
Broken, Chipped, or Knocked Out Tooth
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible. They can usually fix it with a filling, crown, or root canal, depending on how serious the damage is.
If your tooth has been knocked out, try to see a dentist within an hour of the incident. The dentist may be able to put the tooth back in place, which gives it the best chance of healing properly. But after two hours, the chances of success decrease a lot, so you'll need to consider other options.
Severe Toothache
If you have a toothache that can't be relieved with normal pain medicine, put some ice on the area and contact your dentist immediately. This is an urgent situation because toothaches may be a sign of more serious dental problems.
Lost Filling
A lost filling is also serious as it exposes the interior of your tooth, weakening its structure. It's important to see a dentist to have the filling replaced as soon as possible. You can protect the area until you get to the dentist by replacing the filling temporarily with a softened piece of sugarless gum.
Object Lodged Between Teeth
Objects getting lodged between the teeth can present a hazard and warrant urgent attention from your dentist. If you cannot dislodge the object with floss, do not use a sharp object to attempt to remove it yourself as this could push it further between your teeth - or injure your gums.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
If you are experiencing bleeding that can't be quelled after biting your tongue or lip, you need to visit an emergency dental clinic. In the meantime, apply a clean cloth to the bleeding part of the mouth and press down. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, and look for urgent dental care.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in your teeth or gums. This happens when bacteria infects the soft part of your tooth or its root. It's a very painful condition that can be caused by cavities, gum disease, or a chipped tooth that hasn't been treated. Symptoms can range from a bad taste in your mouth to swelling, pain, pus, or fever. To treat it properly, surgery is often required to drain the infection. Root canal surgery may be necessary to treat a dental abscess fully.