Emergency Treatment
Your comfort is important to us and we aim to see you on the day if you have a dental emergency. There is also a on-call dentist service in Dunedin for after hours and weekend emergencies. Please call us to schedule an appointment, or to get advice if you think that you may have an emergency.
A Dental emergency is any injury to your teeth or gums that can put you at a risk of permanent damage. If not treated in time, it can lead to more serious problems in your oral cavity which may require more expensive and wider treatment. Below are some common conditions and simple actions you can take until you are able to come in and be seen by a dentist.
TOOTHACHES: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any debris. Use a cold compress outside your mouth or on your cheek to minimize swelling.
CHIPPED OR BROKEN TEETH: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Use a cold compress outside your mouth to decrease swelling.
KOCKED-OUT TOOTH: Rinse the root of the tooth in water while holding on to its crown. Gently insert the tooth back into its socket. If it is not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or in a cup of water with a pinch of table salt and take it along with you to the dentist’s office as soon as possible. A knocked-out tooth has the highest chances of being saved if returned to its socket within one hour.
LOST CROWN: You may apply a little clove oil to the affected area if you are in pain. You may slip the crown back over your tooth using over-the-counter dental cement or toothpaste if possible as a temporary measure.
ABSCESS: Aa abscess is a collection of pus that forms around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and the gums. These are caused by bacteria and, if left untreated, can spread to other parts of your body. If you notice any abnormal swelling in your gums, rinse well with mild salt-water solution and go to your dentist as soon as possible.
SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES: Injuries can happen to your gums, tongue, lips, and cheeks, and can result in bleeding. To control bleeding, rinse your mouth with mild salt-water solution, apply moistened gauze to the injury for 15-20 minutes. You may apply a cold compress to the outside of the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes. If the bleeding persists continue to apply pressure on the affected area and call us straight away.