If you have severe pain, discomfort or have experienced a dental injury from playing sports or a fall, you should get in contact with a dentist as soon as you possibly can to rule out whether or not your situation is an emergency.
Dental emergencies don’t always seem as serious at first to patients but can escalate quickly or lead to serious damage. So if in doubt, make sure to contact our dentists in Adelaide. To help understand how broad the definition of a dental emergency is, here are some of the most common dental conditions that require emergency dental care:
1. Toothache
Never ignore a toothache if the pain is severe, worsening or persistent over time. While some mild toothaches may not require urgent medical attention, severe toothaches or pain in the gums and jaw necessitate an urgent trip to a dentist.
Severe tooth pain can be caused by conditions such as dental decay and dental infections which, in extreme cases, can be life-threatening if left untreated.
2. Post-Procedural Bleeding or Severe Pain
Sometimes, patients overlook the urgency of dental pain if it is after a dental procedure such as an extraction, wisdom tooth removal or even cosmetic dentistry. The thing is, severe pain in your teeth and gums should never be normalised. If you are taking pain management measures as advised by your dentist following treatment and you are still in pain that is persistent or worsening, this could indicate a dental problem.
If it is accompanied by other symptoms such as bleeding or swelling and these are not typically expected for your post-surgery recovery and mentioned by your dentist, it could indicate a complication or infection. In any of these cases, seek emergency dental care in Adelaide.
3. Broken, Fractured or Chipped Teeth
Small chips in a tooth that are not accompanied by pain or sensitivity may not be an emergency, however, a broken, cracked, or fractured tooth can be serious. It can affect your teeth’s structure by weakening the tooth and even lead to infection. Untreated broken teeth that can get infected may even end up needing root canal treatment. So, make sure to see a dentist ASAP, they’ll be able to use dental X-Rays and imaging to determine the level of damage and treat it early.
4. Tooth Loss / Knocked-Out Tooth
Whether you’ve knocked out a tooth from a sports injury or have noticed that you have a permanent adult tooth that is loose, it’s important that you call an emergency dentist right away. You do not want to waste any time with a knocked-out tooth. The sooner you see a dental professional, the better your chances are of saving the tooth and having it reinserted in your mouth.
5. Swelling in the Gums, Cheek or Face
If your face or gums have suddenly swollen, it may be a sign of a dental infection. If it towards the back of your mouth, it may even be impacted wisdom teeth. Do not ignore facial swelling, infections and conditions that cause swelling can be severe and even life-threatening if left untreated. Before your emergency appointment, to relieve some of the discomfort you can apply an ice pack over the swollen area.
Need a Reliable Emergency Dentist in Adelaide?
If you are experiencing any of the above conditions, make an appointment for emergency dental care in Adelaide at Burnside Dental Practice. Our local practice reserves appointment slots so that we can cater to emergency situations that require same-day care when possible.
Whether you need a children’s bulk bill emergency dentist in Adelaide or an after-hours dentist for urgent wisdom teeth removal, we can provide the emergency care you need.
