We often believe it will never happen to us, but the truth is that accidents happen. Do you know what to do if you are faced with a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can be stressful and traumatic, whether you’ve had a tooth knocked out or need one taken right away. Knight Street Dentists in Shepparton, offers emergency dental services to keep you as comfortable and safe as possible.
So, what entails a dental emergency, and how can you best deal with one if it happens to you?
Common Dental Emergencies
Your dental situation may be an emergency if:
- You’re in severe pain
- You’re bleeding from the mouth
- You have lost a tooth
- You have a loose or wobbly tooth
- You have an infection
It is generally considered an emergency if you require immediate dental treatment to control bleeding, relieve intense pain, or avoid tooth loss.
A chipped tooth, a missing crown, or a filling are not considered dental emergencies unless you’re in excruciating agony.
Dental emergencies happen more frequently than you might think: oral or dental pain affects a large percentage of the Australian population.
However, not every dental issue should be treated as an emergency. Consider the following questions to assess if you can wait or if you need to see an emergency dentist in Shepparton right away:
- Have you ever had a tooth fall out? The tooth could be preserved if it is addressed quickly.
- Are you in excruciating pain? If you’re experiencing bleeding or extreme pain, it’s time to see an emergency dentist like Knight Street Dentists in Shepparton.
- Do you think you’re infected? Swelling or knots on the gums, as well as a swollen face, could indicate an infection. A significant infection or abscess in your mouth can be life-threatening, so it’s important to get it treated as quickly as possible.
- Do you have a set of crooked teeth? A loose tooth, even if it is not in pain, indicates a significant condition.
- Is there blood in your mouth? This could indicate that you require immediate medical attention.
- Gum, cheek, or facial swelling that is expanding. If the swelling is going down your neck, up to your eye, or down the floor of your mouth, make sure to tell our dentists about it.
- Ulcers in the mouth that haven’t healed after two weeks.
- After tooth extraction, you’re experiencing bleeding that lasts more than 20 minutes and won’t stop even if you bite down hard on a hankie/gauze.
- You’ve been following self-help recommendations for your problem, but the discomfort is increasing.
So, what is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental issue that requires immediate dental care to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth is classified as an emergency.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek treatment at our Shepparton emergency dental clinic. Call Knight Street Dentists straight away and explain what happened in detail. You will need to contact our emergency dentists or even the emergency room if your usual dental practice is closed.
How much is Emergency Dental Treatment?
It’s tough to give a quote for any dental emergency over the phone or on the internet. Only after a thorough examination by a dentist can an accurate assessment and quote be offered.
In general, however, fixing the most common concerns, such as cracked teeth, fillings, or toothaches, will cost between $250 and $400.
The following are the most typical issues:
Serious acute pain.
This is the most common type of toothache. A continual or near-constant discomfort that is extremely intense and may not be entirely controlled by pain relievers. This is frequently caused by an irritated nerve and is best treated by a dentist who can intervene directly. To relieve the pressure from the inflamed nerve, an access cavity is created in the tooth. A sedative/antibiotic paste is injected into the hole to assist in reducing the pain. The acute discomfort is relieved, but the tooth will require more care soon (either root canal treatment or an extraction). The cost of this emergency treatment is estimated to be between $350-$400.
Less serious sporadic/chronic pain.
This type of complaint can be caused by various factors, including dental decay, fissures in the tooth, gum disease, and teeth grinding, to mention a few. It’s impossible to receive a good diagnosis over the phone, so the best choice is to schedule an appointment for a proper examination, after which the problem can be assessed, and a quote/plan for what needs to be done may be drawn up. The cost of an emergency exam and x-ray is $99.
A loose/very broken down tooth; I ‘just want it out.’
Here at Knight Street Dentists, we prefer not to book clients in for extractions without seeing them because it is impossible to predict whether an extraction would be a simple one or a complex surgical one over the phone or the internet.
We welcome you to come in for an emergency exam and x-ray so that we can analyse the problem, give you an exact price, and schedule you for the proper time. The exam and x-ray will set you back $99.
Extraction expenses range from $250 for a non-complex extraction to $550 for a surgical/wisdom teeth extraction.
What to do in a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency can strike at any time, and knowing what to do next can be difficult. If you have a damaged or knocked-out tooth, try to avoid touching it as much as possible.
Rinse the tooth and store it in a bag or bottle of milk or your saliva if possible. To aid with any bleeding, place a damp gauze or compress over the socket.
Call your dentist, even if it’s after business hours. On the answering machine, they may leave an after-hours emergency contact number. Otherwise, you should go to an emergency room at your local hospital.
When you need an emergency dental clinic, you can trust Knight Street Dentists to look after your teeth. We’re open five days a week and have a flexible schedule in case of an emergency. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our emergency dentistry services.
How to Avoid A Potential Dental Emergency
The best way to avoid dental emergencies is to take proper care of your teeth and gums daily and visit us for regular check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist will examine for any loose crowns and fillings, as well as any signs of gum disease, decay, or infections, during these routine visits.
Any difficulties can be addressed with a specific treatment plan before they become an emergency. You may listen to your body and check for indicators that you may be developing dental problems if you know what is considered a dental emergency.
Looking For An Emergency Dental Clinic in Shepparton?
Oral emergencies do occur, even though a good dental hygiene program can help keep them under control. Now that you know what entails a dental emergency, you understand how important it is to seek care as soon as possible to avoid the problem worsening. Fortunately, competent emergency dentists are available at Knight Street when you require emergency dental care.
