Please contact Dentistry Illawarra immediately so that we can arrange an appointment as quickly and conveniently as possible for you. It is important to attend injuries to teeth, gums and jaws promptly to avoid the risk of permanent damage. These are the most common dental emergencies:
If sharp and cutting your gum, tongue or cheek you might need to see us soon to assess the damage. If pain, start on over the counter-painkillers (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) until you can see us for an appointment. If swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek. If bleeding, apply a rolled damp gauze to the area for 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
Explore visually the area of pain. Rinse with warm water and clean with your toothbrush and dental floss to dislodge food debris or broken tooth/filling parts. Start over the counter-painkillers (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) until you can see us for an appointment. Do not place tablets (i.e. Aspirin close to the gum, it will burn it).
Attempt to retrieve and find the tooth (it is worth!!!). Hold it by the crown (the part exposed to the mouth). Do not hold it or rub the root tissue fragments (the part inside the gum/bone socket) only rinse it with the owner’s saliva if possible, if not, then use milk, contact lens saline or water if the tooth is dirty.
Try to put the tooth back in place. Do not force it (like a key in a keyhole). If you cannot, then the owner can bring it inside the mouth between the cheek and other teeth. If not, a container with saline or milk or water with a pinch of salt. See any dentist as soon as possible.
Clean the crown well. Clean the tooth also and attempt to reposition it. Call for an appointment. If the tooth is painful or sensitive, apply in the inside of the crown sensitive toothpaste or denture glue and reposition it. Never use domestic glues such as Superglue.
This is a serious condition capable to damage teeth, gums, bone and most importantly your health, so it is necessary to see us as soon as possible.
If you see a “swelling with a centered pimple” in your gum try rinsing with warm salty water several times a day, to ease pain and allow drainage of the pus.
See us as soon as possible. Clean the area well with tooth brushing and flossing. If sensitive, fill the gap with sensitive toothpaste or sugar free chewing gum.
Never use domestic glues such as Superglue. The fragments sometimes can be easily repositioned at the dental chair. See us for an appointment.
These may cause profuse bleeding. Clean the area to visually inspect for debris or foreign bodies. If bleeding inside the mouth, bite onto a damp gauze or tea bag for 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. See us as soon as possible.