Accidents & Emergencies in Melbourne

In a dental emergency, the sooner you seek treatment the better. It is even possible to save a tooth that has been knocked out if you can get treatment within an hour.

Is it a Dental Emergency?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be having a dental emergency and should call your Holistic Dentist immediately. It’s important to describe to him exactly what has happened and what you are feeling.

  • Are you bleeding from the mouth?
  • Are you in severe pain?
  • Do you have any loose teeth?
  • Have you been hit in the face or mouth?
  • Do you have any swelling in the mouth or facial area?
  • Do you have any bulges, swelling or knots on your gums?

Reasons For Saving Your Tooth

  1. No tooth replacement material can replace the beauty of natural teeth
  2. Natural teeth help maintain and support facial bone structure
  3. Natural teeth foster natural chewing so that you can avoid jaw/bite irregularities
  4. A full set of natural teeth helps create a great smile
  5. Natural teeth help you to maintain normal mouth functioning

Dealing With Dental Accidents And Emergencies

Your Holistic Dental practitioner is the first person you call if you have a dental emergency. The following tips will help you manage a dental emergency until you can get to the dentist. It is important to remember that with some dental emergencies, seeing a dentist within 30 minutes or less can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth.

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth can be saved if the proper emergency steps are taken immediately to preserve it:

  • Pick up the tooth by the crown and do not touch the root. Touching the root greatly reduces the likelihood of a tooth successfully reattaching to the bone.
  • Carefully rinse it with water, if dirty. Do not scrub, use soap or any chemicals, or use fabricated materials to clean it and do not dry it.
  • Restore the tooth by trying to reinsert it into the socket immediately. Do not store it in a tissue or any other material. The tooth may be held in place by holding it with your fingers or gently biting down.
  • If the tooth cannot be replaced in its socket, it must be kept moist until you reach your dentist. Place it in milk or water and a small amount of salt to preserve it until your dentist can take action.
  • A tooth has the best chance for survival if it is preserved within the first few hours by a dentist.
  • See your Holistic Dentist as soon as possible after the tooth is knocked out. He may refer you to an endodontist.
  • You should also see your dentist if you suffer oral trauma, have a loose tooth or have a persistent toothache.

Loose Tooth, Tooth Out of Alignment

Try to put the tooth back in its original position using your finger with very light pressure. Do not try and force it. You can bite down to keep the tooth from moving. Your dentist may want to splint the tooth to the adjacent teeth (the teeth on each side) to keep it stabilized.

Chipped, Cracked or Fractured Teeth

If a tooth is chipped and doesn’t hurt, this usually does not constitute a dental emergency and you can wait a few days to see a dentist. However, it is important to be careful while chewing so as not to chip it more.

Fractured or cracked teeth usually suggest that damage has occurred to the inside of the tooth as well as to the outside. Severe fractures are so extreme that the tooth cannot be saved. If you suffer a fractured tooth, call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment. If the soft tissue inside of the tooth (the tooth pulp) is damaged, your tooth may need a root canal. If the pulp is not damaged, the tooth might only need a crown.

Tissue Injury and Facial Pain

If you experience any type of facial injury, it is important to clean the area immediately with warm water. If the bleeding is coming from the tongue, gently pull the tongue forward and place pressure on the wound using gauze. You should get to an oral surgeon or nearby hospital emergency room as quickly as possible.

Other Dental Emergencies

Basically, any dental problem that requires immediate treatment in order to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding or alleviate severe pain is considered a dental emergency.
A severe infection or abscess in the mouth can be life-threatening and should be dealt with immediately. If your dentist can’t be reached, seek hospital emergency room care.