southport emergency dentist

Pain, Swelling and Abscesses

If you are experiencing pain and/or swelling in your mouth or face please contact the dentist as soon as possible. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus which is formed due to an infection in the tooth. The signs of an abscess might be persistent pain, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, sensitivity when chewing or biting, swelling, fever or a bad taste in the mouth. An abscess will not heal on its own, so it is important that you seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

Losing the Entire Tooth

If your adult (permanent) tooth is knocked out, it may be able to be saved. However, time is critical and immediate action needs to be taken. It is best to remain calm and try to locate the tooth. If you can locate the tooth, hold the top (crown) of the tooth and not the tooth roots. Do not rinse or immerse the tooth with water. If possible, put the tooth in your mouth next to the cheek, however it is important not to swallow it. Alternatively, you can place the tooth in a container filled with your saliva or with milk.

It is important not to let the tooth dry out. Make an appointment to see the dentist as soon as possible, ideally this should be within one hour of the tooth being taken out. Bring the tooth with you to your appointment. The dentist may be able to re-implant the tooth and may place a splint on the tooth to stabilise it to help support this. It is normally recommended that you follow a soft diet for the next two weeks during this stage. When losing a tooth, there is a high chance that the nerve in the tooth is going to die. You will be required to monitor your symptoms and may be asked to look out for tooth discolouration or pain. If this occurs, a root canal may be required. Generally, a follow up appointment is required to review the tooth and if further treatment is required.

Crown or Veneer Falling Out

Sometimes it can be uncertain whether you have lost part of your natural tooth, veneer or crown. In this case, we would recommend that you manage this the same as you would a fracture tooth. Make an appointment with the dentist and bring the crown or veneer with you. If possible, the dentist will reattach the crown or veneer back onto the tooth.

Emergency Patients

We have emergency appointments available, so we can be there when you need us the most. If you are experiencing pain, have suffered trauma to your teeth or have noticed swelling in your mouth, please contact us as soon as possible so we can see how we can best help you.

If you would like more information about any of the services mentioned above, please give us a call on (07) 5655 7688 or contact us via the website and one of our friendly team members will be more than happy to help.