A dental emergency can happen unexpectedly. A sudden toothache, broken tooth, dental injury or swelling can be worrying, especially when you’re unsure what to do next.
At Acclaim Dental in Bundaberg, we provide emergency dental care appointments for patients who need prompt attention for an urgent dental concern. Knowing what to do while arranging dental care can help you stay calm and avoid making the problem worse.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a dental problem that needs prompt assessment because of pain, injury, damage to a tooth or another urgent concern.
Examples can include:
- Severe or sudden tooth pain
- A broken, cracked or damaged tooth
- A knocked-out adult tooth
- A loose or displaced tooth following an injury
- Significant swelling around the tooth, gums or face
- Bleeding that does not stop
- A dental infection or abscess with worsening symptoms
Not every dental problem requires hospital treatment, but urgent dental assessment can help determine what treatment you need.
What should I do if I have a severe toothache?
A severe or persistent toothache should not be ignored.
Toothache can have several causes, including tooth decay, a cracked tooth, dental injury, gum problems or an infection. If your pain is persistent or getting worse, contact a dentist as soon as possible.
While you’re arranging dental care, you can:
- Keep your mouth clean with gentle brushing.
- Choose softer foods if chewing is uncomfortable.
- Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks if they increase your pain.
- Use a cold compress against the outside of your face if there is swelling.
- Ask your pharmacist or healthcare professional about appropriate pain relief for you.
Healthdirect recommends seeing a dentist if toothache lasts for more than two days or does not improve with pain-relief medicine. Healthdirect
Do not place aspirin directly against your tooth or gums, as this can irritate the tissue.
What if I break or damage a tooth?
A tooth can crack or break because of an accident, biting something hard or another dental problem.
If a piece of your tooth has broken off, keep the piece if possible and take it with you when you see your dentist. Healthdirect advises storing a broken tooth or tooth fragment in milk or sterile saline until you receive dental care. Healthdirect
Try not to chew on the damaged side of your mouth and avoid very hard foods until the tooth has been assessed.
Depending on the type and extent of the damage, treatment may include a restoration, crown, root canal treatment or another appropriate option.
What if an adult tooth has been knocked out?
A knocked-out adult tooth requires urgent attention.
If you can find the tooth, handle it carefully by the crown — the part that normally sits above the gum — and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, gently rinse it with warm water without scrubbing it.
If possible, the tooth can be carefully placed back into its socket. If this isn’t possible, keep it moist in milk or saliva and seek urgent dental care. Healthdirect recommends getting to a dentist or hospital as quickly as possible because the chances of saving the tooth are better when treatment is received promptly. Healthdirect
A baby tooth should not be placed back into the socket. If a child’s baby tooth has been knocked out, contact a dentist for advice.
What if my mouth or face is swollen?
Swelling around a tooth or gum can sometimes be associated with an infection and should be assessed by a dentist.
Contact a dentist promptly if you have swelling together with symptoms such as:
- Tooth or jaw pain
- Fever
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Pain when biting
- Increasing swelling in your cheek or jaw
Healthdirect advises seeking emergency medical care when dental swelling causes difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, or when swelling extends around the eye or neck. Healthdirect
When is it a medical emergency?
Some dental injuries can involve more serious medical problems.
Call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Severe swelling of the mouth or tongue
- Heavy bleeding that will not stop
- A serious facial injury or other life-threatening injury
Healthdirect advises calling 000 when an illness or injury is critical or life-threatening. Healthdirect
A hospital emergency department may be more appropriate than a dental appointment when your breathing, swallowing or airway is affected.
Emergency dental care at Acclaim Dental
If you have an urgent dental concern in Bundaberg, contact Acclaim Dental to discuss your situation and arrange appropriate care.
We provide emergency dental care appointments every day we’re open for patients who need prompt attention.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call:
(07) 4152 2522
Acclaim Dental is located at:
4/31 Maryborough Street
Bundaberg QLD 4670
Our regular opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
If your situation is a life-threatening medical emergency, call 000 rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Don’t ignore a dental problem
Dental pain or an injury can sometimes seem manageable at first, but delaying assessment may allow the underlying problem to become more difficult to treat.
Whether you’ve developed sudden tooth pain, broken a tooth, injured your mouth or lost an adult tooth, getting appropriate advice promptly is important.
If you’re unsure whether your situation requires urgent dental care, contact Acclaim Dental and explain your symptoms. Our team can help you understand the next step.
If you’re a new patient, you can also learn more about what to expect when visiting Acclaim Dental.
Need urgent dental care in Bundaberg? Contact Acclaim Dental on (07) 4152 2522.
