No one likes to think about it until it happens but when you find yourself in the midst of a dental emergency, what do you do?
Firstly, don’t panic! In modern society, emergency dental scenarios are common and the majority of dental surgeries are able to offer patients a same-day appointment in the event of an emergency.
At Smile4U, our dentist in North Geelong is able to offer patients same-day appointments in the event of an emergency, in order to get you out of any associated discomfort quickly. At your appointment, you can expect gentle dental care in a comfortable setting, to help resolve your emergency quickly.
Still a bit unsure if you need to see our dentist in North Geelong urgently? Read on to discover our most commonly asked FAQs about dental emergencies.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is an issue involving either a tooth, teeth or gum tissue that requires immediate attention from a qualified dental practitioner.
Simply put, if you wake up at 3am with a sharp dental pain that is also causing swelling, you have a dental emergency and need to see a dental team as soon as possible for treatment.
One of my fillings fell out, do I need a same-day appointment?
In a word, yes.
While lost fillings are fairly common and may not cause discomfort, they still require prompt attention. This is due to the risk posed to the potentially exposed pulp, which if left open, can lead to a painful infection which is harder to treat. Similarly, if you have lost a crown or you notice that a filling is loose, you also require a same day trip to our dentist in North Geelong.
How can I manage sudden dental pain at home until morning?
One of the annoyances of dental emergencies is that they often occur out of office hours. If pain strikes in the middle of the night, take an anti-inflammatory painkiller like ibuprofen or, failing that, paracetamol. Do not consume alcohol as a painkiller!
If you have any to spare, oil of cloves is brilliant at temporarily relieving dental pain, and should be applied to the painful area with cotton wool until morning.
I’ve got a lump in my mouth that doesn’t hurt – is that an emergency?
While it may not be uncomfortable, any suddenly visible lumps and bumps should be checked out.
Though usually benign, any unusual swellings could be indicative of oral cancer, which, like most cancers, responds best when treated early. Even if you are not a smoker, it is important to attend dental screenings to check for signs of cancer in your mouth and even more important to see a dentist if a lump suddenly appears.
When should I go to the hospital?
A dental emergency can’t always wait until morning.
If you have a fever, are vomiting or feeling nauseated, have loose movements or are in agonising pain that is unmanageable, you need to go to hospital urgently for emergency treatment.
Disclaimer
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.