Urgent Dental Services in Brighton, Brisbane
No matter how well you care for your teeth, predicting when you might need emergency dental care is impossible. Urgent dental care is sometimes necessary, and it does not keep to a timetable. That’s why we offer emergency dental services whereby we can fit customers in for emergency dental appointments at short notice to perform whatever treatment is needed to stop the pain and resolve the problem once and for all.
Dental Pain or Trauma? We Can Help!
Any trauma to the mouth that may cause bleeding and lacerations to the gums, and dislodge or fracture teeth, may require immediate medical attention. The many causes of dental emergencies include a sporting injury, accident, biting on hard food or packaging and simple falls. Your teeth may be broken, cracked, knocked out, loosened, or you might just have a bad toothache.
Below, you’ll find some tips you can follow in the event of a dental emergency that has happened to you or a family member.
Knocked-out tooth. Handle the tooth as little as you can. Place it back in the socket if possible but do not swallow. If you can’t place it in the socket, you can put it in a container of your saliva or milk until you can see a dentist.
Bleeding. If you’ve lost or damaged a tooth, lip or your tongue and there is blood, you can apply a cold, wet compress to the site. Apply some pressure so that the bleeding decreases.
Cracked tooth. Rinse your mouth out with warm water, then apply a cold compress to your face to combat swelling. If you have pain, take an over-the-counter painkiller.
Toothache. Rinse the area with warm water and gently floss any food particles caught between teeth. If you have pain, take an over-the-counter painkiller.
Lost crown. If you have a dental crown that has come off your tooth, save the crown and bring it to your appointment. We’ll do our best to replace it on your tooth if it’s undamaged.
Don’t Live with Toothache
Toothache can be a truly debilitating kind of pain. It is hard to function properly when you have a toothache, and you should not have to try to. There is always a reason for toothache, and our emergency dentist in Brisbane is ideally qualified to find out what is causing it.
If the pain has come on suddenly, it might be due to some external factor, for example, an impact while playing sport. In these sorts of cases, you usually know for yourself what triggered the pain, making it easier for emergency dentists to resolve.
Sometimes, however, the pain seems to appear from nowhere. Usually, this is due to an underlying issue that has been evolving for some time. It can suddenly reach a critical point at which it starts to hurt. Don’t suffer in silence. For one thing, toothache affects your quality of life, making it difficult to focus on anything or to get a proper night’s sleep. But just as importantly, the pain signal has a purpose. It alerts you to a problem that will only get worse the longer you leave it.
So at the first sign of toothache, your immediate thought should be,
“where is there an emergency dentist near me?”
Most Common Types and Causes of Toothache
The type of pain you are feeling can explain the probable cause. When you phone to book an emergency dentist appointment, you might be asked to describe the pain, just so the emergency dentist has some advance information on what to expect and the likely causes. The following list is not exhaustive but covers some of the most common types of tooth pain that might demand urgent dental attention and the common causes.
This is the most common type of tooth pain we encounter. Sometimes the cause is as simple as a piece of food stuck between two teeth or embedded in the gum line. Other common causes are bruxism or the formation of an abscess. Suppose it is either of the latter two. In that case, arranging a consultation at your emergency dental clinic without delay is vital, as the problem will only escalate if left unaddressed.
Sensitivity is common, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. Like any tooth pain, it has a root cause. Furthermore, if it comes on suddenly, there is a reason for it, and it could be something serious like tooth decay, gum disease, exposed roots or worn fillings, so it needs urgent dental treatment. Minor sensitivity that only lasts a few seconds is more likely due to worn enamel on the tooth. Special toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help manage the problem, but you should still discuss it with the dentist at your next check-up.
This type of toothache is strongly indicative that something has broken. It could be a loose filling or a dislodged crown. Sometimes, it is even caused by a crack or fracture to the tooth. The good news is this is the sort of problem that your emergency dentist in Brighton will usually be able to diagnose quite easily, so relief will quickly follow.
This is the most unpleasant type of toothache and constitutes urgent tooth pain that needs immediate attention. It usually indicates infection, most commonly a consequence of tooth decay. Emergency tooth extraction is sometimes the only solution, although the dentist will try to save the tooth if it is viable. Sometimes, the underlying problem cannot be resolved on the spot, for example, if you need a root canal or emergency wisdom tooth extraction. In this case, the dentist will book you a follow-up appointment and will be able to do something to relieve the pain.
The above cover about nine out of ten types of tooth pain and its causes. But if you fall within the other 10 percent, don’t worry. Just describe the symptoms to the best of your ability, and the emergency dentist will take it from there.
Dealing with Chipped or Broken Teeth
Sometimes the nature of the problem is all too obvious – although you might not be in any pain at all. Most people lose or break at least one tooth at some point in their lives. For people who play certain sports, it can be pretty common, and we should all take care and use appropriate protection, such as a mouth guard when taking part in martial arts or rugby, for example.
Still, accidents happen. If you find yourself spitting out a tooth or a chunk of tooth after some mishap, there is no need to panic. If possible, preserve the missing tooth or fragment in milk and get straight on the phone to book an emergency dentist appointment. Sometimes if a tooth is knocked out and undamaged, it is possible for the dentist to clean the area and slip it back in, but it is crucial to act fast.
Signs of a Wisdom Tooth Emergency
A special case we encounter fairly often is when problematic wisdom teeth suddenly flare up. Impacted wisdom teeth is a problem that can build up gradually without any signs of trouble. Symptoms start to manifest at some point, and when that point arrives, it can be like a flick of a switch. Typical symptoms include sinus pain and swelling around the gums. An unusual taste in the mouth can accompany this.
When wisdom teeth become impacted, emergency extraction is usually the only option. In most circumstances, this can be performed under local anaesthetic, but sometimes, the process of removing them is more invasive, and a general anaesthetic makes it more comfortable for the patient.
Don’t Delay Getting the Care You Need
Get the prompt attention you deserve with a same-day appointment. Contact our friendly team today to book your time with us! We have late opening hours and accept health funds. Your rebate can be claimed on the spot with our HICAPS machine.
Common Questions For Our Emergency Dental Care
What is Classed as a Dental Emergency?
Any problem with the tooth causing you pain should be treated as a condition that demands urgent dental services. The same applies to any sudden problem like excessive bleeding from the gums or an accident that causes a tooth to fall out or break.
Is Severe Tooth Pain an Emergency?
Yes, if you have severe pain, you should call an emergency dentist without delay. Even if the problem cannot be resolved entirely on the spot, you will be provided with pain relief and advice to keep discomfort to a minimum until a permanent solution is found.
How Can I Prevent The Need for Emergency Dental Surgery?
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine and regular check-ups will reduce the likelihood of issues like tooth decay from taking hold and going unnoticed. But sometimes, emergencies still happen, such as accidents while playing sports that result in tooth damage. You can’t guard against every eventuality.
What is The Best Way to Relieve The Pain From a Dental Injury?
Before you do anything else, seek advice from your emergency dental care provider. We will arrange an emergency appointment as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. You could also try a cold compress or ice to reduce any swelling, which might also help relieve discomfort.
If I Break My Tooth, What Should I Do?
If you have chipped a tooth, try to find and save the pieces and put them in a container of whole milk. Rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack to reduce swelling. Call us for an emergency appointment and bring the tooth fragments with you. It is sometimes possible to repair teeth, but if not, the dentist will explain the other possible solutions.
What Does Emergency Dental Work Cost?
At Brighton Dental Suite, the cost of emergency dental work may vary based on the procedure and the complexity of the emergency. It starts from $130 for a consultation so we can closely assess the problem and provide you with a tailored treatment plan and cost that best suits your needs.
What Are The Most Common Reasons for Needing an Emergency Dentist?
We treat a variety of dental emergencies, but the most common is dealing with accidents in teeth that have impacted a hard surface and broken, cracked or fallen out. The sooner we are able to treat these sorts of injuries, the better the prognosis, so don’t delay. We also have some emergency cases where the patient is experiencing sudden acute pain. This is often from a cavity or exposed nerve, and we can usually treat it quickly and effectively.
What Should I Do If a Tooth Falls Out?
If an adult tooth is knocked out, and you still have the tooth, hold it by the crown and place it in a container of whole milk. Then contact our emergency dentist straight away. The chances of saving the tooth are higher if we act quickly.