Get to know what kind of injuries require urgent dental care. 

We all work hard to take care of our smiles, but unfortunately, accidents do happen. Sometimes, when dental injuries occur, it is important to seek immediate care in order to save a tooth and alleviate pain and discomfort. But what kinds of injuries are actually classified as dental emergencies? And what should you do if you need urgent help?

What are the most common dental injuries?

Some of the most common dental injuries include knocked out, broken or cracked teeth. These types of injuries often occur as the result of a hard knock or fall, or as part of a sports injury. Cracks, breaks and tooth loss can also happen when one bites on something particularly hard, such as ice or hard candy.

If you experience any of these injuries, it’s likely that you will need to see a dentist as soon as possible. Whether or not your injury constitutes a dental emergency will depend on its severity, as well as any symptoms that you experience. 

What is a dental emergency? 

A dental emergency refers to any dental problem that requires urgent treatment in order to save the tooth, stop persistent bleeding, or alleviate severe pain. Issues like severe infection should also be treated as an emergency.

If your tooth has been knocked out, you should see a dentist immediately. Similarly, if you have a severely cracked tooth, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible so that the tooth can be repaired.

What should you do in a dental emergency? 

If one of your teeth has been knocked out in an accident, you should try to find the tooth immediately. Hold it by the crown rather than the roots and rinse it in some water. If possible, you can gently place the tooth back in its socket, but if this doesn’t work, place it in a container of milk or salt water. You may find it helpful to apply a cold, damp compress to the socket as this can minimise bleeding. Call your dentist immediately and try to get to your nearest practice within an hour.

If you have suffered a hard knock, fall or other accident and a tooth has been partially dislodged, you should see your dentist urgently. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth in the injured area to ease your pain while you wait.

In the case of a lost or loose dental filling or crown, you should see your dentist as soon as you can. If you know where your crown is, keep it in a safe place until you can see your dentist.

If you have braces and a wire or bracket breaks, you can try to push it into a more comfortable position until you can see your dentist. If this is not possible, try to cover any sharp ends with a cotton pad or gauze to avoid further injury.

If you are suffering from severe pain but are not sure what the cause could be, it is possible that you have an infection or an abscess tooth. These issues can cause a range of issues, and if left untreated, can spread to other parts of the body. It is best to call your dentist as soon as possible so that they can examine your teeth and mouth to determine the cause of your pain.

How can we help?

If you experience a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us as soon as possible. Our team will provide you with top-quality care to resolve your issue and alleviate any uncomfortable symptoms that you have.

Dental Emergencies in Narre Warren

Our practice in Narre Warren South, Melbourne is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as an in-house dental laboratory in which our excellent quality dentures, crowns, bridges and veneers are all fabricated. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments, including general and cosmetic dentistry; orthodontics; and anti-wrinkle treatments.

If you would like to come in and see us, please give us a call on (03) 9989 2656 or book an appointment here. We can’t wait to welcome you to our brand-new dental practice in Narre Warren South.