Emergency Dental Care in Mermaid Waters: What to Do in a Crisis

In a dental crisis, the sensible instinct is to deal with it promptly rather than wait and hope. If you live in or around Mermaid Waters and are unsure what counts as a dental emergency, what you can safely do at home, and when you need to be seen, this short guide covers the essentials.

Most Common Dental Emergencies

It is not always obvious whether a problem qualifies as an emergency. These are the situations that most often need prompt attention:

• A broken, chipped or knocked-out tooth
• Acute pain from a cavity or a cracked tooth
• Facial swelling caused by infection or an abscess
• A lost crown or filling
• Bleeding from the gums or a soft-tissue injury that will not stop

A knocked-out adult tooth is the most time-critical of these. Handle it by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist in milk or saliva, and get to a dentist as soon as you can.

How to Manage a Tooth Emergency Before You Are Seen

These measures may make you more comfortable while you arrange an appointment. They do not treat the underlying problem.

Rinse with warm salt water

Rinse for around 30 seconds with a little salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. It can help settle inflamed tissue and clear debris from the area.

Consider over-the-counter pain relief

An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen may ease discomfort if it is suitable for you. Follow the packet directions, and do not place tablets directly against the gum, as this can burn the tissue.

Contact a dentist

If the discomfort is not settling, arrange to be seen rather than waiting it out. Prompt attention can prevent a manageable problem from becoming a more complicated one. If a crown or filling has come out, keep it and bring it with you — your dentist can advise whether it can be recemented or whether a new crown is needed.

Signs You Should See an Emergency Dentist Straight Away

Some situations go beyond anything you can manage at home. Seek professional care without delay if you have:

• Severe pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relief
• Bleeding from the mouth that continues after applying pressure
• Visible damage to a tooth, such as a fracture or a cracked cusp
• Facial swelling or an abscess following infection or injury
• Pain and swelling around a partly erupted wisdom tooth

Facial swelling that is spreading, or any difficulty breathing or swallowing, needs urgent medical attention — go to a hospital emergency department.

Looking for Emergency Dental Care in Mermaid Waters?

Helix Dental provides emergency dental care from 2/299 Rio Vista Blvd, Mermaid Waters. Our dentists will assess what is causing the problem, explain the options and their risks, and settle the immediate issue where they can.

We offer a $99 emergency dental consultation, which includes the consultation and any X-rays required at that visit; treatment is quoted separately and agreed with you first. Offer terms apply. Call us and we will find you the earliest suitable appointment.