Emergencies
We understand that problems with teeth can arise at any time. We always try to accommodate people experiencing pain or discomfort. Because we are open seven days we can help most people, most of the time. However, if you have a toothache at 2 am on a Sunday night, you will have to wait until we open at 7.30 am to give us a call. If you are experiencing facial swelling, which you feel is rapidly worsening, or having difficulty breathing, or feeling unwell, you may need to go to a hospital emergency department. This is a rare thing, but it does happen. If a tooth is knocked clean out, it is important to try to push it gently back into the socket from where it came. It doesn’t need to be perfectly in the correct position, but hold it gently in the socket. For whatever reason, if you are unsure or not confident, keep the tooth in milk, and seek dental attention quickly. The longer the tooth is left out of the mouth, the poorer its chances of reattaching. Sometimes a tooth may be knocked crooked by a blow, often in sport. As long as the tooth is still in the socket, there is no need to panic. The tissue surrounding the tooth is still receiving its blood supply. Please see a dentist at your earliest convenience.
Broken Front Teeth
Broken teeth are common. Knocks, bumps and blows occur all the time. A classic one for Brisbane is a swimming pool accident. Large pieces of front teeth can be lost, sometimes exposing the nerve inside the tooth. This appears as a red or pinkish dot in the middle of the fractured surface. These fractures do not require urgent attention generally, but should be seen within 24 hours if possible. It is not necessary to have the broken piece of tooth, as it is rarely used to be reattached. If the edge of the broken tooth is very sharp, softened sugar-free gum placed over it is a good first-aid measure.