Broken teeth

Again, seek attention as quickly as possible. Keep the area clean, with very gentle brushing unless that causes further pain. Minimise hard food intake and avoid the sort of food that breaks down easily and gets lodged in the painful area.

lost fillings

This is another case of keeping the area clean and arranging a dental appointment as soon as possible.

The best plan, in an emergency is to have a temporary filling put in before scheduling an appointment for a more permanent solution to the problem.

Missing crowns

If the crown’s come off completely, contact us for advice. Don’t put the crown back on – you might put it on the wrong way and cause damage, or think it’s secure and then later swallow or inhale it. Wrap the crown loosely in plastic wrap or tissue, the less you touch it, the less likely hood of further damage or contamination by germs.

facial swelling

You wake up to find out your face has blown up like a balloon for no apparent reason- what’s the best thing to do? It’s usually a sign of some sort of infection, so ring us for an immediate appointment or if it’s badly swollen, go along to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

sporting accidents

Playing sports can be hazardous to your teeth. If a tooth gets knocked out, do what you can to retrieve it. Only pick it up by its crown, the part you normally see in the mouth, not by the roots, and get to the dentist as quickly as possible, put it in some milk or bottled water, wrap it very loosely in plastic wrap, or try to put it back into the socket, which is the best way to transport it. Handle it as little as possible, and definitely don’t insert it under running tap water. If your dentist isn’t available, go to the nearest hospital with an emergency department, where you’ll find dentists or oral surgeons who can help you.

If the tooth is broken or displaced, rather than knocked out completely, don’t touch it or push it to see how loose it is, otherwise it might come out altogether. Get help as quickly as possible.

If, along with tooth damage, you have trouble closing your mouth, you may have a fractured or dislocated jaw. In that case, head straight for the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

bleeding

Bleeding from the gums can be a sign of periodontal disease or some underlying medical problem and needs to be investigated as soon as possible, especially if the bleeding is severe.

If you have had a tooth extracted recently and you cannot stop the bleeding, seek professional help. In the meantime, fold a clean handkerchief into a wad, put it onto the affected area and bite down on it with constant pressure.

caught objects

Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums and never use a sharp instrument to remove any object stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact us.

denture issues

Remove dentures if pain is severe and make an appointment. An assessment of the fit and occlusion needs to be made. Often adjustments are simple and can be done within minutes.

If your denture is broken, we advise that you collect the pieces and safely store them until you see us. Please do not try to re attach broken pieces with any glue. We offer a same day repair service for your convenience.

For all dental emergencies, please call us on 02 9371 6605 or 0411 117 373. All after hour calls will be answered and any messages will be quickly responded to.