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Having a toothache can be a real pain, and we know that all too well. But what if you experienced this toothache at an important time in your life, like a birthday celebration late at night or an outdoor trip that is outside of the city? Many of us delay seeking help, especially if the pain is manageable. In this case, urgent care by an emergency dentist is the solution to prevent severe pain and infection that would lead to permanent damage to your teeth.
What Is an Emergency Dentist?
An emergency dentist is a dental professional who gives urgent care for unexpected oral health issues that focus on treating severe pain as well as other critical conditions that a standard appointment cannot wait for.
Although general dentists have emergency services under their belt, others specialise in urgent dental care. Whichever you opt for, make sure that before anything happens, you have contacts of these professionals as a precaution.
5 Signs You Need to See an Emergency Dentist
Severe or Persistent Tooth Pain
There’s something so excruciatingly painful in a sharp, throbbing toothache. Sometimes, this is because of an accident, but most of the time, it might be because of an infection or tooth decay that is affecting your gums and the roots. Persistent tooth pain might be something you ignore when you can still handle the pain; however, it’s a signal that tells you that you might already be needing professional help.
Knocked-Out or Loose Teeth
Accidents are usually unexpected, and these things happen even if you are cautious of your surroundings. When this happens, the key is to act fast so that your emergency dentist will be able to save the tooth and save your oral health too. First aid care, like picking up the tooth by the crown and storing it in milk or saliva, is one of the things you can do so that the emergency dentist can still do something about the situation.
Swollen Gums, Face, or Jaw
Dental abscesses, or pockets of pus, are caused by bacterial infections and are common but should be treated immediately, even before they make your mouth or gums swell. However, if swelling is already present, consider going to your dentist immediately to prevent the spreading of bacteria to other parts of your body.
A Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Tooth
Some people would ignore a chipped tooth when it happens to them; however, even if this may not sound like something that needs to be taken care of by an emergency dentist, you might be reaping the damage later on. Whichever situation you are in, keep in mind that a cracked or broken tooth should be assessed by your dentist as soon as possible.
Uncontrolled Bleeding in the Mouth
We understand that sometimes your gums bleed even when you brush your teeth; however, uncontrolled bleeding is a situation that becomes hard to watch, especially when it’s excessive. Whatever caused the situation, applying gentle pressure to the affected area should be done. At the same time, seeing an emergency dentist when this happens would save you lots of expenses in the long run.
Where to Find an Emergency Dentist in Australia
Most of the dental clinics across Australia offer emergency care that includes services after office hours, weekend appointments, and even during holidays. So before anything happens to you or to the people you care about, it is important that you ask for the contact details of your dental professional as a precautionary measure.
However, if this kind of situation arises and you have no contact information for your dental professional, you might want to check for online emergency dentists, as some might be nearer to you and can treat you at the fastest possible time. If all else fails or if it already affects the other parts of your body, it is best that you visit your nearest hospital for immediate care.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Emergency is emergency, and as redundant as this may sound, it only means that the situation is something you never planned and wouldn’t have wanted to experience in your lifetime. At the same time, dental emergencies can happen to anyone regardless of the situation and the case.
Whichever situation you or your loved ones are in, the key is to always act rationally and quickly to prevent worsening of the pain that might damage your teeth and gums permanently. However, if you find it difficult to think clearly during these situations, breathing exercises help lessen your anxiety, or make sure that you are with someone you know to help you in these circumstances.