Emergency Dentist

It’s easier to do than you might think! While chips or cracks may vary in severity, it’s important to seek urgent dental care for even the smallest of chips or cracks to avoid infection and further damage. 

First aid: Gently rinse out your mouth with warm salty water, which has natural antiseptic benefits. If the chip or crack has left a sharp edge on your tooth, it’s helpful to cover it with some dental wax, which you can get from most pharmacies. If you’re experiencing swelling, you can use some ice on the outside of your cheek near the area.

Loose teeth are more common amongst children as they lose their baby teeth and have their adult teeth come through. However, if you experience a loose tooth as an adult, it’s important to seek urgent dental care to try to save the tooth from eventually falling out. 

First aid: It’s important you don’t chew on the loose tooth or wiggle it around with your fingers or tongue. Be extra careful to not dislodge it when brushing your teeth and flossing. Avoid any contact sports or high-impact activities that may cause it to fall out.

There can be several instances in which there’s potential for a tooth to be knocked out, for example, in high-impact sports and injuries from accidents. If you have one of your teeth knocked out, seeing an emergency dentist within 30 minutes is critical to have a chance of saving your tooth. 

First aid: If you can find the tooth, pick it up by the top part (the crown). Rinse it gently, preferably with your own saliva or saline. Do not rub or remove tissue from your tooth. Place it back in the socket gently and hold it in place with gauze. If you’re unable to do so, you can put it in a small container of saliva or saline to take it to your emergency appointment.

People commonly dismiss a broken filling as nothing major. However, it requires urgent dental care, as leaving it unattended can cause infection and further damage. If you break one of your dental fillings or have one completely come out, it’s important you seek dental care as soon as possible.

First aid: If your filling has fallen out, remove it from your mouth to ensure you don’t swallow it. Gently rinse out your mouth, preferably with warm salty water. If it has left a jagged edge, you can cover it with dental wax to protect your tongue and the inside of your cheek. This will also prevent bacteria from becoming trapped in the crevice. Avoid chewing on the area.

If your teeth are causing you significant discomfort, whether it’s dull, aching pain or sharp sensitivity, it can be a sign that you require urgent dental treatment. While a toothache might seem like no big deal, it can be your mouth’s way of warning you about something more serious lurking under the surface. 

First aid: Visit your general practitioner or local pharmacy for over-the-counter pain medication. It’s important that it’s a medication you swallow, rather than apply topically to your gums. You can use ice to reduce any inflammation by holding it against the outside of your cheek near the affected area.

Modern-day dentures are definitely built to last. However, they can still break, for example, because of wear and tear or an accident. Broken dentures shouldn’t be ignored and we highly recommend that you don’t attempt fixing them yourself. If you have broken dentures, it’s best to get them fixed or replaced by a dentist as soon as possible.

First aid: Don’t wear your broken dentures as they can do damage to your mouth. After taking them out, give them a good rinse and store them safely until your appointment.