Emergency Dental First Aid

Dental emergency
— lost filling

Don’t wait to replace a missing filling:

• Delay can be detrimental to the remaining tooth structure.

• Delay may damage the underlying nerve.

• There may be sharp edges that may cause injury to your tongue or cheek

• Root fracture may occur and the tooth may be lost.

First aid for a missing filling:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out.

• Keep the area clean by using a soft brush.

• Place a piece of sugarless chewing gum that has softened, in the hole which contained the filling.

• Do not leave as is. Call us as soon as possible for an appointment.

Dental emergency
— chipped tooth

If a filling or artificial tooth becomes chipped, it should be replaced sooner rather than later.

First aid for chipped teeth:

• If there is no pain and the chip is small, it is not of immediate urgency.

• The chipped tooth should be assessed for underlying damage especially to the remaining tooth structure or filling if the tooth is filled.

• Call us for an appointment to have the chip assessed.

Dental emergency
— wisdom tooth pain

Symptoms of pain related to wisdom teeth:

• Infected and impacted wisdom teeth.

• Swelling may be associated.

• Pain to adjacent teeth, jaw, ear, biting, eating and limited jaw opening.

• Bad taste in the mouth and bleeding gum.

• Bad breath.

First aid for wisdom teeth pain:

• Wash your mouth out with warm water.

• Clean the area with a soft toothbrush. Bleeding is OK.

• Take a painkiller such as paracetamol (e.g. Panadol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen).

• Call us immediately for an emergency appointment.

Dental emergency
— dental abscess

Symptoms of a dental abscess:

• Signs and symptoms include pain with sudden onset, swelling, pus near a tooth or gum pocket.

• Bad taste and bad breath.

• Difficulty opening your mouth..

• The swelling can spread to the entire face and neck very quickly if left untreated.

First aid for an abscessed tooth:

• Wash your mouth out with warm water.

• Take a painkiller such as paracetamol (e.g. Panadol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen).

• Call us immediately for an emergency appointment.

Dental emergency
— knocked-out tooth

Knocked-out teeth must be treated with care and urgency.

Symptoms of a knocked-out tooth:

• Other than a gap where the tooth used to be, symptoms will including swelling, pain, excessive bleeding from the tooth socket or gum, and possibly from the lips and cheek.

First aid for a knocked-out tooth:

• If the tooth is DIRTY, rinse very gently in slow running water for NOT TOO LONG.

• DO NOT SCRUB IT or remove any fragments of tissue that may be attached to the root surface.

• Gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket.

• If it is not possible to insert the tooth in the socket, place the tooth in a cup of MILK.

• If there is bleeding or swelling, apply a cold compress. Ice for swelling and pressure for bleeding.

• Call us immediately for an emergency appointment.

Dental emergency
— possible broken jaw

If you suspect a broken jaw do not wait, treat with urgency!

First aid for a jaw injury:

• DO NOT move the jaw.

• Secure the jaw in place by tying a handkerchief, necktie, or towel around the jaw and over the top of the head.

• Call us immediately or go directly to the hospital emergency department.

Dental emergency
— braces & retainers

First aid for problems with braces and retainers:

• If the wire is causing irritation, cover the end with a small cotton ball, beeswax or a piece of gauze until you are able to see you orthodontist.

• If a wire gets stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, DO NOT attempt to remove it. Call us or your orthodontist immediately.

• If an appliance becomes loose or a piece of it breaks of, take the appliance to the orthodontist.

Did you know?
Cambridge City Dental can design and fit Invisalign® clear braces which have no protruding wires that might cause irritation or discomfort. Find out how more and how you can get your own clear braces in Perth.

Don’t delay! Visit Cambridge City Dental today, your emergency dentist in Perth.

Dental emergency? Call us now 9382 8266 Not so urgent? Book an appointment online

Presented by Cambridge City Dental to assist with emergency dental treatment in Perth, West Leederville, Subiaco, Daglish, Jolimont, Floreat and Northbridge
Consult your medical professional for advice applicable to your personal circumstances.