Is my situation an emergency?
If you’re unsure whether your dental situation is an emergency or not, you’re not alone. Many people will put off going to see the dentist when they have a sore tooth as they either don’t want to cause a fuss or they’re not sure whether their situation counts as an emergency. The general rule of thumb is that if your teeth or mouth are causing you pain, swelling, or significant discomfort, it is considered an emergency and you should book an emergency dentistry appointment as soon as you are able to.
What to do if you’re experiencing a dental emergency
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, get in touch (https://www.casuarinadental.com.au/contact) with your dentist immediately. Not only will they book you in for an emergency appointment, but they will also be able to advise you about what to do while you’re waiting for your appointment. This may include:
- How to safely and temporarily relieve tooth or mouth pain
- How to care for cracked or broken teeth to ensure they don’t get worse before the appointment
- What foods or liquids you may need to avoid eating until your teeth are assessed and repaired in your emergency appointment
- What to do if you have lost a filling
Can’t get to us straight away?
If you can’t get in to see us straight away, it’s important that you take care of yourself until you are able to make it into the surgery for your emergency dental appointment.
If the pain is excruciating and you’re experiencing symptoms such as severe bleeding or infection, you should consider heading into the emergency room and getting some help. In general, a dental emergency that requires immediate attention to stop bleeding or to prevent a serious infection from impacting you is considered a medical emergency.
Have you chipped a tooth or lost a filling?
Chipped or cracked teeth or lost fillings can lead to a build-up of food debris in the impacted area. This food accumulation can lead to decay or deterioration of your impacted tooth if you don’t get it repaired by a dental surgeon as soon as possible. Dental decay can lead to sensitivity to hot or cold food, extreme pain when eating or drinking, or constant toothaches, even if you’re not eating anything.
If you have chipped a tooth or lost a filling, it’s important that you book in to see your emergency dentist quickly. A swift appointment can help to avoid further dental issues down the road that can lead to tooth loss, root canals, and incredibly expensive dental work to try and repair the damage of long-term decay.
Are you experiencing facial swelling or extreme pain?
Facial swelling or extreme pain in your mouth is often a sign that you may have a serious underlying issue with your teeth. There are a variety of dental issues that can cause facial swelling, including:
- Gingivitis or gum disease
- Some forms of oral cancer
- Blocked salivary glands
- Impacted tooth
- Wisdom teeth
- Abscess
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Some medications
- Infected tooth
Book An Emergency Dentist ASAP
If you’re experiencing facial swelling, you should book an emergency appointment with your dentist to ascertain what is causing it and help rule out any serious reasons. The sooner you know what the issue is, the sooner you can get it sorted and begin to see the swelling reduce.
