Mernda Emergency Dentist Tips: First Aid for Dental Emergencies

Dr Halim Prayogo (Dentist)
8 years ago

Accidents choose no one, but having knowledge on how to deal with them is very critical. If you have an injury to the mouth, which results in a broken or knocked out tooth, it is important to seek immediate dental assistance and get appropriate treatment for your situation.

Here at United Smiles, we have our experienced emergency dentists who are more than ready to handle a range of dental emergencies. In addition, we provide a couple of helpful tips that can help you manage dental injuries for a long-lasting smile.

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Knocked out Tooth

For baby teeth (primary teeth): Babies and toddlers are prone to hurting themselves, especially those who have started crawling or walking. Long-lasting damage can happen if the baby teeth are injured and not treated immediately. If you know how to administer dental first aid, then you could save the child from long-term damage.

Dental first aid for Knocked-out Primary Teeth:

Don’t attempt to put the knocked-out baby tooth back in
Go to the dentist for an immediate dental examination. Dentists are best qualified in assessing the damage and recommending the suitable course of action. Bring the tooth with you so the dental professional can ensure that the entire tooth has been knocked out.
If you are uncertain whether the tooth is a primary or permanent tooth, place the knocked-out tooth in milk or saliva and go to your dentist right away.
Attend your routine dental check-ups so your dentist can monitor the development of the adult teeth.

For adult teeth (secondary teeth): Remaining calm, at the same time, acting quickly is important if someone has a tooth knocked out.

Dental first aid for Knocked-out Secondary Teeth:

Find the tooth as quickly as possible and hold it by the crown. Handle it by avoiding touching the root.
Rinse the tooth with milk or with tap water for few seconds only. Don’t scrub or rub the root surface.
If possible, reposition the tooth in the socket to keep it moist. Don’t dry out the tooth.
If not possible, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth and soak in milk or saliva.

Fractured Tooth

A fractured tooth has three levels of damage: minor, moderate and severe. For minor fractures, the tooth can be restored with a composite restoration or treated with care for a number of days. Moderate fractures make the tooth fixable with the help of a full permanent crown if the pulp is not permanently damaged. However, if the tooth is severely fractured, it is then considered a traumatized tooth with a small chance of recovery.

Dental first aid for fractured tooth:

If there are any tooth fragments, collect them and transport in milk to your dentist.
Rinse your mouth with water or mild saltwater solution.
Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
For pain, use ibuprofen or paracetamol and not aspirin.
Get to your dentist immediately. Your dentist will determine treatment according to the severity of damage.

Toothaches

Dental pain can occur suddenly and provide a throbbing discomfort. It’s one of the main reasons people visit a dentist in a hurry. If your tooth is aching, you should see this as a signal to get treatment. If the decay extends down the tooth and reaches the pulp chamber, your vascular and nervous system are vulnerable to damage and infection.

Dental first aid for toothaches:

Rinse your mouth with water.
Use a dental floss to detach any lodged food
If there is any swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.
Take some painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, but not aspirin.
Don’t put aspirin or any pain medication against the aching tooth or gum tissue.
Go to your dentist as soon as possible.

Preparing for a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies don’t always happen during business hours or in convenient settings. If you are in need of immediate dental care or treatment at a bad time or place, you will need to improvise. Place your tooth or the fragments in a clean container with a sanitary solution to ensure that the damaged tooth does not dry out. Then, phone your dentist for emergency appointment.

Following the instructions on how to manage a dental emergency is highly important. If you can’t contact your dentist, go to the closest dental office that is available. If the dentist is unavailable, seek medical treatment at a hospital emergency room or the best medical treatment center that you can locate. Keep in mind that every minute you waste reduces your possibilities for a positive outcome.

Find an Emergency Dentist in Mernda

Dental emergencies call for immediate attention from a dental professional. At United Smiles, we offer after-hour appointments in case of a dental emergency. If you have experienced any form of dental emergency and are in need of professional assistance, come to United Smiles Dental.

United Smiles is conveniently located in the heart of Mernda Village, serving patients from Doreen, Beveridge, Whittlesea, Mernda and from all Melbourne metro areas. Our dental office includes ample parking available at the rear of the building. Wheel chair access is also available from the front of the building and all of our surgeries have been built to accommodate this.

For HCF and CBHS, claim your PAY NO GAP OFFER on dental check-up and clean. Bulk Bill Child Benefit Schedule Up to $1,000.

Guaranteed Same Day Emergency Appointment.