At Raglan Dental we offer the following emergency dental services:
1.Knocked Out Tooth
If a tooth has been completely knocked out, ensure you only hold the tooth by its crown – which is the part of the tooth you can see when you look in the mouth. Gently rinse off the root of the tooth in milk (not water) if it’s dirty. Handle the tooth as little as possible. Do not rub or attempt to wash the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments, as this can damage it. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk (not water) and contact our office so we know you are on your way and require immediate attention. Remember to bring the tooth with you.
2. Objects Caught Between Teeth
If you believe you have an object caught between your teeth, please try to gently remove the object with dental floss or an interdental cleaner; trying to avoid cutting the gums. Do not use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact our practice.
3. Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. If this does not improve your symptoms, please contact the practice to arrange an appointment and seek advice. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If you experience facial swelling in conjunction with a tooth ache, please contact the practice immediately or visit your health care professional.
4. Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water and try to keep the area clean. If you can find the broken fragment, keep it and bring it in to our practice when you attend for your appointment. If it is painful, contact us immediately.
5. Cracked Tooth
If you experience a sharp pain when you bite down which disappears with removal of the pressure, you might have a cracked tooth. Cracked teeth can be difficult to diagnose as it can often be difficult to see the crack, even with an x ray. Depending on the size and location of the crack, treatment can vary from replacing a filling in the tooth to root canal treatment.
Cracks are common & in the early stages are asymptomatic. It is important to attend for regular checkups to enable early diagnosis and a simpler treatment.
Avoid chewing on that side and call our practice.
6. Jaw-Possibly Broken
Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Attend a hospital emergency department immediately.
Once the injury has been attended to, please notify our practice at your convenience so we can organise attending to any tooth injuries and can plan your future treatment
If you are experiencing a dental emergency please follow these steps:
- Call our office: If you are experiencing a dental emergency during business hours, please call our office at (03) 5331 2931. We will do our best to schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.
- After-hours emergency: You can also text us on weekends and public holidays to see how we can best help.
- Explain your situation: When you call, please explain your situation to our staff or dentist. This will allow us to determine the severity of your emergency and provide you with appropriate advice.
- Follow our advice: Our staff or dentist will provide you with instructions on what to do until you can be seen by a dentist. It’s important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that your dental emergency is properly managed.
At Raglan Dental Ballarat, we understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and painful. We are committed to providing our patients with prompt and effective care to relieve their pain and restore their dental health.