In my more than 25 years of experience in treating tooth pain and providing exceptional emergency dental care, I found that usually tooth pain is caused by one of these common tooth problems:
- Tooth holes leading first to pain when having hot or cold food and then the pain becomes constant.
- Gum infection, which leads to teeth becoming loose or much bleeding.
- Knocked teeth causing them to chip or break.
- Chewing on a piece of stone causing a fracture.
- Wisdom teeth who are trapping food.
When suffering from pain or a knocked tooth it is important to come and have the teeth checked immediately in order to avoid more damage and stop the pain. We are open 6 days a week and will always try our best to accommodate those who are suffering a dental emergency as soon as possible. As you come I will examine the teeth first, to determine the source of pain, since it is not uncommon that a painful tooth will play tricks, making you feel the painful sensation in a different jaw or reaching the ear or the head causing headaches. Once I have established the cause of pain I can provide you with immediate relief and a plan to treating the cause of it.
What can you do till you see us?
If you suffer from a toothache:
You can try to obtain relief by rinsing the mouth with water and removing the debris from any obvious cavities. Use dental floss or brushes to remove any food that might be trapped within the cavity or between the teeth. If swelling is present, place a cold pack on the outside of the cheek and remove it periodically to avoid a cold sore. Take pain relief if necessary, using pain medicines that you know and are familiar with. Please notice that, no pain relief tablets will have any effect, if they are applied directly to the tooth, they must be swallowed first. There are many websites that give advice of various potions or remedies that can kill that bacteria if they are directly applied to the teeth, like aspirin tablets, strong alcohol beverages or baking soda. These substances are harmful and usually cause more trouble. The best remedy is to have your teeth examined.
For a knocked out tooth:
It is important to collect the tooth and if it is dirty, rinse it with milk holding it by the crown. If you do not have milk, use water for a few seconds only, or have patient suck it clean. Try and place the tooth back in the socket it came out of. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, wrap it in clinging wrap or place it in a cup with milk or in the patient’s mouth next to the cheek, if he is old enough not to swallow it. It is important to see a dentist within 30 minutes if you can. Time is critical for the long term survival of the tooth.
Try to clean the area with warm water, cold water may cause pain. If a blow broke the tooth, try to find all the fragments and collect them, bring them moist to us, many times we can reconnect them back to the tooth. Place a cold pack on the face next to the injured tooth to try and reduce the swelling. Some times broken tooth parts may be lodged in the lips or cheek, try to rinse them out, or wait for us to remove them. Come to see us as soon as possible.
For cuts in the tongue or lip:
There may be much bleeding since there are many blood vessels there. The fastest way to stop the bleeding is by applying direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth and your fingers. If the bleeding doesn’t stop readily or the cut is wide, your will need to see us or go to the emergency room at a hospital.
Braces or retainers:
If a piece of wire from your braces has come loose and is causing irritation, you can try and cover the end of it with a small cotton ball, a piece of gauze or some soft wax. If a the wire is stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, DO NOT attempt to remove it yourself since you can tear these tissues. You should contact your orthodontist to have it fixed, if he is unavailable come and see us.
We are open 6 days a week and will always be happy to help you, call Tooronga Family Dentistry for your dental emergency. Phone number 98227006