Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly and often require prompt attention. Wise Dental Sutherland Shire provides professional emergency dental care for patients experiencing sudden tooth pain, dental injuries and other urgent oral health concerns.
We understand that dealing with a dental emergency can be stressful. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes may help minimise further damage, manage discomfort and protect your teeth until you can be assessed by a dentist.
An emergency dentist assesses and treats urgent problems affecting the teeth, gums, mouth and jaw. The priority is to identify the cause of the problem, address the immediate dental concern and help protect the affected teeth and surrounding tissues.
Emergency treatment may include managing dental trauma, treating injuries to the gums and mouth, or repairing damaged, cracked or broken teeth.
Different dental emergencies require different types of immediate care. Below are some of the common dental problems we treat and practical guidance on what you should — and shouldn’t — do before seeing a dentist.
Severe tooth pain can develop for a number of reasons. Common causes include tooth decay, dental infections and problems associated with wisdom teeth.
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water to help clean the affected area. Carefully floss between the surrounding teeth, as trapped food or debris may sometimes contribute to discomfort.
If swelling is present, apply a cold pack to the outside of your cheek and contact an emergency dentist for further advice.
Avoid very hot drinks and don’t apply heat directly to the painful area, as this may increase discomfort. Aspirin, painkillers or other medications should not be placed directly against the affected tooth or gum.
Bleeding, swelling, cuts or an abscess on the gums can occur as a result of dental trauma, gum disease, infection or a severely damaged or non-vital tooth.
For general gum bleeding, gently floss between your teeth and rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
If swelling is present, place a cold pack against the outside of your cheek for approximately 5–10 minutes at a time.
For a larger cut or wound, place clean gauze, a cotton cloth or a clean towel firmly against the area for around 5–10 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, seek emergency dental care.
Don’t use tissue paper against a bleeding gum, as it can stick to the affected area. Avoid hot water or direct heat.
If you notice a pimple-like lump or suspected dental abscess, don’t squeeze, puncture or attempt to drain it yourself. Arrange an urgent dental assessment instead.
Teeth may become chipped, cracked or broken following an accident or fall, biting into something particularly hard, tooth decay or weakening around an existing filling.
Contact an emergency dentist and gently rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
If part of the tooth has broken away, keep any pieces you can find and store them in milk or the patient’s saliva until you reach the dentist.
For facial or gum swelling, apply a cold pack externally. If there is significant bleeding, hold clean gauze, a towel or cotton cloth firmly against the area for approximately 5–10 minutes.
Avoid using tissues to control bleeding because they can adhere to the gums. Don’t apply direct heat or rinse the area with hot water.
Any pieces of the tooth should be kept in milk or saliva rather than other liquids while you seek dental care.
An adult tooth can become loose or partially dislodged following an injury, such as a fall or impact to the face. Advanced gum disease can also cause teeth to become mobile.
If there is substantial bleeding, hold clean gauze, a towel or cotton cloth firmly against the area for around 5–10 minutes.
A cold pack can be placed against the outside of the cheek to help manage swelling. If you’re experiencing significant discomfort, appropriate pain relief may also help while you arrange an urgent dental appointment.
Don’t repeatedly touch, push or wiggle the loose tooth with your fingers or tongue.
Avoid placing tissue against the area, and don’t use hot water or apply direct heat to the affected part of your mouth.
If a child’s baby tooth has been knocked out, arrange a dental examination so the dentist can check the gums and developing permanent teeth for injury and ensure no tooth fragments remain.
If a tooth or tooth fragment has come out, gently rinse it with lukewarm water and keep it in a clean container with milk or the patient’s saliva while seeking dental care.
Apply a cold pack externally if the cheek or gums are swollen. For bleeding, use clean gauze, a cotton cloth or towel and apply firm pressure for approximately 5–10 minutes.
Don’t wipe bleeding gums with tissues, as pieces may stick to the wound. Avoid hot water and direct heat.
Don’t unnecessarily handle or remove gum tissue around the injury. Tooth fragments should be stored carefully while you arrange professional dental treatment.
Although orthodontic braces are designed to withstand everyday use, brackets and wires can occasionally become damaged after eating hard foods or if something becomes caught in the braces.
If a wire has moved and is irritating the inside of your mouth, it may be possible to gently reposition it into a more comfortable position until you can see a dental professional.
If a bracket has detached completely, keep it somewhere safe and bring it with you to your appointment.
Don’t attempt to cut an orthodontic wire yourself, as a loose piece could potentially be swallowed.
If a wire has become deeply embedded in the cheek or gum, don’t pull or attempt to remove it yourself. Seek professional dental assistance.
Problems with wisdom teeth can sometimes lead to recurring inflammation or infection. Depending on the cause and severity, initial treatment may involve professional cleaning of the area, improved oral hygiene or medication where clinically appropriate.
However, if problems continue to return because of the position of the wisdom tooth, extraction may be recommended.
Before a wisdom tooth extraction, local anaesthetic is used to numb the treatment area. Additional options may also be discussed for patients who feel particularly anxious about dental treatment.
If the wisdom tooth has fully emerged through the gum, it may be possible to perform a straightforward extraction. For teeth that remain partially or completely beneath the gum, a surgical approach may be necessary.
In these cases, the dentist or oral surgeon may access the tooth through the gum and remove a small amount of surrounding bone where required. The tooth may also be divided into smaller sections to allow it to be removed more easily before the area is cleaned and, where necessary, sutured.
If you’re experiencing significant wisdom tooth pain, swelling or another urgent dental problem, Wise Dental Sutherland Shire can assess the condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Contact our team to arrange an emergency dental appointment and receive professional care as soon as possible.
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