Contact Creative Smiles during opening hours about urgent dental care. Appointment availability varies, and we will explain the next available option. For difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe uncontrolled bleeding or another life-threatening emergency, call 000. Do not wait for an online reply.
Dental Emergency Types
Severe Toothache
A sharp and intense discomfort in or around one or multiple teeth is known as a severe toothache. It can be caused by a variety of dental issues and may be constant, intermittent, or triggered by specific foods, drinks, or temperature changes.
It is crucial to seek immediate dental care if you experience a severe toothache as it could indicate a significant underlying dental problem that requires urgent attention. In the meantime, you may rinse your mouth with warm salt water, use over-the-counter pain relievers, and steer clear of hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages to alleviate the pain.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
When a tooth has suffered partial or complete fracture or damage due to an injury, trauma, or biting on a hard object, it is known as a broken or chipped tooth. The severity of the damage can cause pain or sensitivity and may also impact the tooth’s appearance and function.
To avoid additional damage or infection, it is essential to see your dentist promptly if you have a broken or chipped tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out adult tooth needs immediate dental attention. Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline without scrubbing. If it is an adult tooth and can be replaced safely, gently place it back in the socket and bite on a soft cloth. Do not force it.
If you cannot replace it safely, keep it moist in milk or saline and seek urgent dental care. Do not let it dry out or wrap it in tissue.
Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back in its socket. If you are unsure whether it is an adult or baby tooth, seek urgent dental advice. Significant facial injury or a life-threatening emergency needs emergency medical care
Loose or Missing Teeth
A loose or missing filling or crown can cause discomfort, sensitivity, and leave the tooth vulnerable to further damage or decay. It is critical to seek the advice of your dentist right away if you have a loose or missing filling or crown to prevent additional harm to the tooth and to restore its function and appearance.
Gum or Teeth Infection
Gingivitis, commonly referred to as a gum infection, results from the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, leading to inflammation of the gums. Indications of gingivitis comprise of swollen, red, and bleeding gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, which is a severe form of gum disease and may result in tooth loss.
On the other hand, a tooth infection refers to a bacterial infection affecting the tooth’s pulp or nerve, resulting in tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, swelling of the gums or face, and fever.
If you experience symptoms of a gum or tooth infection, it is crucial to seek immediate dental care from a dentist to receive accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment
Swollen Jaw or Face
Facial or jaw swelling can be caused by dental infection or another condition and needs prompt assessment.
Call 000 for difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling affecting the airway, collapse or another life-threatening emergency. Do not wait for a dental appointment.
For new or increasing swelling, severe pain or fever without those emergency signs, seek urgent dental or medical advice. If the practice is closed or cannot be reached, use an emergency dental service or appropriate medical care.
If urgent symptoms occur outside our opening hours, seek an emergency dental service or appropriate medical care. Do not wait for a callback when symptoms are urgent. For a life-threatening emergency, call 000.
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate dental attention to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth. Examples of dental emergencies include severe toothache, broken tooth, knocked-out tooth, abscessed tooth, jaw pain, and swelling.
Contact a dental service promptly for urgent dental symptoms. During our opening hours, you can call Creative Smiles to ask about the next available appointment. For difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe uncontrolled bleeding or another life-threatening emergency, call 000. Follow a clinician’s or pharmacist’s advice about pain relief.
Call 000 or seek emergency medical care for difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe uncontrolled bleeding, serious facial injury or another life-threatening emergency. Many other dental problems need urgent dental treatment. If you cannot reach a dental service and symptoms are worsening, seek appropriate medical advice rather than waiting.
Fees depend on the assessment and treatment needed. We will explain assessment charges and proposed treatment costs before care, where circumstances allow. Payment arrangements may be available subject to eligibility and the applicable terms.
We accept various forms of payment, including cash, credit/debit cards, and dental insurance.
If you have a dental emergency while traveling, try to find a local dentist as soon as possible. You can also contact Creative Smiles Dental Care for advice on what to do next. It is important to have your dental records with you when traveling to help expedite treatment.
You can contact Creative Smiles about dental care without private health insurance. Ask about assessment fees, proposed treatment costs and available payment arrangements. Read about dental payment options.
While some dental emergencies are unavoidable, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. These include practicing good oral hygiene, wearing a mouthguard during sports, avoiding hard or sticky foods, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups.
If you have a non-urgent dental problem, such as a chipped tooth or a loose filling, but can’t get an appointment for several days, try to keep the affected area clean and avoid eating or drinking hot or cold substances. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. If the pain becomes severe or you develop a fever, contact us immediately.
Yes, you can bring someone with you to your emergency dental appointment. We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful, and having someone you trust with you can help ease your anxiety. However, please note that due to limited space in our treatment rooms, we may ask your companion to wait in our reception area during the procedure.
