Emergency dental appointments in Essendon

We know that dental problems don’t always wait to happen during working hours. This is why we offer same-day, and where possible, out-of-hours affordable emergency dental care. Whether you need to find a dentist in Essendon, Niddrie, Strathmore, Airport West, Pascoe Vale South or other surrounding areas, our central location with easy parking and transport options makes it easy for you to visit us quickly and easily.

If you need urgent dental treatment, please call us immediately on 9379 1893.  

When might I need emergency dental treatment?

The following situations occur commonly, and if you are experiencing any of these, please follow the instructions about what to do, and contact us as soon as you can for next steps.

Knocked out tooth

With the hectic lifestyles that we lead and with all the sporting and active leisure activities we do, knocked out teeth (tooth avulsion) is a problem. Using mouthguards can significantly reduce tooth avulsion. More and more organised sports are requiring participants to wear mouthguard as a priority, to decrease the frequency of dental accidents. Our experienced dentists have also noted that leisure activities such as skateboarding and rollerblading are resulting in more emergency dental visits.

Additionally, people with prominent teeth (see our orthodontic page) have a higher incidence of tooth damage. When dentists act quickly after a tooth loss incident, the tooth can often be saved.

What to do

The most important thing to do is to get the tooth back into its socket as quickly as possible. The longer the tooth is out of its socket decreases the chance of successful reattachment.

1. Always remain calm. Once the tooth has been found, see how dirty it is. The best approach is to clean a tooth in full cream milk or saline solution. Gently rinse the tooth. Do not scrub it clean, as you will remove the bony attachment from the tooth, and do not touch the root surface.
2. To put it back in place, you will need to use the other teeth as a guide; you’ll also need to make sure the tooth is facing the right way. Push the tooth back into its socket using a quick, forceful motion until the tooth is in the right place.
3. If you cannot put the tooth back into place, you need to see a dentist immediately. The best temporary solution is to store the tooth in full cream milk or saline solution. Otherwise, wrap it in cling wrap or place the tooth in the patient’s mouth next to the cheeks. This will keep the bony attachment cells on the tooth alive and increase the chances of success.
4. You will need to see a dentist immediately. Your dentist will either:
   – place the tooth into position for you
   – see whether you have done a good job yourself (if you managed to do it in step 2 above).
5. Your dentist will then splint your reattached tooth to the other teeth surrounding it to hold it in place as it re-establishes itself in the socket.

Following the initial reattachment, your dentist will schedule one or more follow-up appointments to work out and implement the treatment plan for successful tooth reattachment. Some patients with a knocked-out tooth may require root canal therapy. Remember, tooth reattachment is more successful if the tooth is placed back into its socket quickly.

Toothache

Toothaches are usually worse at night. This is because everything becomes quiet, and all you have to concentrate on is that pain. As you lie down and try to go to sleep, the blood rushes to your head. This rush of blood stimulates the pain receptors in the area, causing more pain.

There are many remedies that people use to relieve tooth pain, such as:

• hot packs
• cold packs
• tooth drops
• saltwater gargles
• mouthwashes.

You will have to try these at home and see which one works best for you.

Painkillers can also be helpful. You will need to read the directions and warnings on the packets to see which painkiller is suitable for you, or speak to a pharmacist. Most importantly, make an appointment to see your FirstBite dentist immediately to deal with the problem.

Chipped or broken teeth

Sporting accidents and vehicular impacts can often cause chipped or broken teeth, although they can happen anywhere.

What to do

1. If you can find the broken part of the tooth, store it in a sealed container of full cream milk. Or you can store it in between your own gums. Both options help to keep the tooth from drying out.
2. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
3. Apply cotton or gauze to the impacted site.
4. To reduce swelling, place a cold compress to your cheek.
5. Bring the broken part of the tooth with you to your emergency appointment.

Lost filling or crown

Sometimes the filling or crown applied by your dentist many years ago can fall out. A lost filling or dental crown can lead to rapid tooth decay and even a root canal procedure if left untreated. Additionally, when a filling or crown falls out, it can expose the previously-sealed tooth to external temperatures and pressures, which can be uncomfortable or painful for the person experiencing it.

What to do

1. Get a piece of sugar-free gum (such as Extra) onto the broken tooth area. The exposed tooth may be jagged and sharp, which can cut into your cheek or tongue.
2. If you’ve lost a crown, place it into a clean container and bring it with you for your emergency dental appointment. We may be able to reattach it.
3. Take over-the counter pain medications (paracetamol or ibuprofen) as directed for any pain caused by having an exposed tooth.

Gum abscesses & swollen gums

Abscesses occur when pus accumulates in the gum tissue. Swollen gums indicate inflammation and potential infection. Both instances are serious and you need rapid dental and medical attention.

What to do

1. Contact us as quickly as possible so we can examine your oral cavity and work out how the abscess or swelling has happened. We will also be able to provide emergency dental attention
2. You may need to go to your local hospital casualty (emergency) department.

Sensitive teeth

For information on sensitive teeth visit our dedicated page on sensitive teeth.