If you’ve ever had a painful tooth due to inflamed nerves, wisdom teeth, or a cavity you’ll know just how bad a toothache can get. You also know that a dental emergency can differ from a niggling tooth pain. When we say emergency dentistry, we mean a patient that requires urgent care and cannot wait and may require a temporary solution to ease the pain and discomfort they are in.

But how do I know I need emergency dental treatment?

Here are some signs that you should seek immediate treatment from your emergency dentist:

• Ongoing pain that does not go away or gets worse. Make a note if over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen help. If you are not getting any relief or it’s getting worse, seek emergency dental care help immediately. Your dentist may have to administer emergency toothache relief.
• You’ve lost a tooth. Life happens, and unfortunately, accidents and falls can cause the loss of a tooth. It is recommended to seek emergency dental care to fix the missing tooth as soon as possible. You may actually save the tooth if you still have it.
• You have loose teeth. As a child, it is normal to have loose, wobbly teeth but as an adult, this shouldn’t occur. It may show some issues that need to be fixed right away.
• Any of your teeth feel hot, pulsing, or swollen as well as painful. That’s a sign you have a severe infection and will need urgent care. So, you must visit an emergency dental clinic near you.
• Unexplained bleeding that won’t stop.

Signs that it’s probably NOT a dental emergency

• A chipped tooth. While we mentioned above that a missing tooth is a dental emergency, a chipped one is less so. However, this doesn’t mean it can go unchecked, you just don’t require emergency dental treatment.
• A mild toothache. While you will need to see your dentist and have them assess your oral health if the pain continues, if the pain is manageable, it’s not an emergency. There is no need to panic if you can manage the pain and it doesn’t worsen.
• Losing a partial or whole filling. Losing a filling can be a painful experience but is very treatable with OTC pain medication. However, if you are in excruciating pain and are not manageable, it may make up an emergency.

When would I have to go to the hospital, not a Dentist?

Sometimes a trip to the emergency room would be more appropriate. This would be because of injuries such as a dislocated jaw, a fracture or blunt force trauma to the mouth and or jaw. If you are suffering from a severe toothache or infection, it is always recommended to try your dentist first as many have dental emergency hours and are the most appropriate healthcare provider to contact.

If you have a dental emergency in Croydon, our friendly team at the Fine Tooth Company is the most experienced at helping you with all your dental emergencies and your day-to-day needs. Book today or call us on (03) 9723 1100. We have several payment options and are a preferred HCF provider.