7 Signs You Need an Emergency Dentist ASAP

During dental emergencies, it’s essential to act quickly. Not only to alleviate pain but to prevent further damage. 

Knowing when urgent dental care can help you take immediate action is important to ensure optimal dental health. If you seek assistance from an emergency dentist, contact our team at (07) 5442-6722. 

To help you know when to contact us, we’re highlighting some indications for emergency dental care.

1. Why Do I Have Severe Tooth Pain?

A sharp, sudden or constant throbbing sensation could be a sign of an underlying dental issue such as:

• gum infection (Usually appears as red enlarged gums that can also bleed during brushing)
• abscess (Usually appears as a small red ball pushing out of the swollen gum.) 
• decay (You might notice a black spot, chipped or fractured tooth or a sharp edge of a tooth) 

Ignoring severe tooth pain can lead to further complications, including the spread of disease. It’s crucial to seek the expertise of an emergency dentist who can provide prompt relief and address the root cause of the pain.

2. I Have a Broken or Chipped Tooth

A fractured or chipped tooth should not be taken lightly, whether it’s due to a fall, sports injury or biting down on a hard object or food. In addition to causing pain, it can also expose the inner layers of the tooth to bacteria and increase the risk of infection.

Food can easily get into the crack. If not removed, it can cause the build-up of bacteria or break the tooth even further.

3. I Have a Knocked-Out Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out, acting quickly is crucial to increase the chances of successful re-implantation. Before visiting your dentist, you can take the following steps:

• rinse the tooth with water without scrubbing or touching the root.
• gently place the tooth back into the socket or store it in a container of milk or saliva to keep it moist.

4. My Gums Won’t Stop Bleeding

While occasional gum bleeding during brushing or flossing is common, persistent gum bleeding should not be ignored. It may indicate gum disease, which requires immediate attention to prevent further damage to the gums and surrounding teeth. 

Severe gum infection can damage gums and can destroy your jawbone which is critical to optimum oral functioning. Our dentists will evaluate the severity of the gum bleeding, provide appropriate treatments like, for instance, dental implants and dental crowns, and offer guidance on maintaining optimal oral hygiene.

5. How Do I Know If I Have an Abscess

A tooth abscess is a pocket of dental pus caused by a bacterial infection and can appear at the tip of the root or in the gums at the side of a tooth root. The latter might first appear as a white blister that is accompanied with sensitivity and inflammation. If not treated early, it will develop into a bigger red ball pushing to the surface.

If an abscess doesn’t drain, the infection can spread to other areas of your head like the sinus cavities under your eyes, causing your face to swell. Even worse, it can spread to other surrounding tissues, causing the infection to spread through your body, over time. 

Depending on the severity of your abscess, our team might have to perform a root canal treatment, to save the tooth, or remove it.

6. What Should I Do If I Have a Loose or Dislodged Dental Crown?

Dental restorations like dental crowns, bridges or fillings that become loose can cause discomfort and affect your ability to chew correctly. It also leaves the underlying tooth vulnerable to further damage or decay.

If you’re able to, like with a knocked-out tooth, keep the dental restoration clean and safe in a container to hand over to our dentist to review. If it is not possible to restore it, we will provide you with a temporary restoration until your final one is ready. 

We’re able to deliver a new crown onsite on the same day, if required.

7. I Have Unexplained Dental Pain

Dental pain or discomfort may arise without an apparent cause. When the cause for this pain can’t be easily identified, it is especially important not to ignore it. It could indicate an underlying issue like a decayed wisdom tooth that requires immediate attention.

An emergency dentist can conduct a thorough examination, including 3D X-rays, if necessary, to identify the source of the pain and provide appropriate treatment options.

Need an Emergency Dentist? 

Add (07) 5442-6722 to your contacts. 

Knowing when to get immediate dental care can save you from unnecessary pain, potential complications and high dental repair costs. At Hinterland Dental, we understand the importance of prompt attention to dental emergencies. If you experience any of the signs above, don’t hesitate to contact our skilled team of emergency dentists.