It’s time of the year again; hasn’t it gone quick?
While we’re all enjoying a well-deserved break what happens if you have a dental emergency?
Did you know that at Dr Patrick Meaney and associates we offer an emergency service for our patients?
If you have an urgent problem with sensitive or fractured teeth or fillings, soft tissue infections or other problems, we will try to see you as soon as possible.
Trauma, accidents and unexpected damage to teeth or gums sometimes cause immediate treatment – please contact us for help or advice.
What do you do if you need an emergency appointment?
If you call the office on 04 8693 1111 there will be a recorded message regarding emergency care.
Tips on how to prevent an emergency situation
- To prevent fillings in front teeth (and back teeth) from cracking – avoid directly biting into the following things: ribs, bones, pork crackling, hard candy or boiled sweets and lollies, uncooked carrots, nuts, hard rolls or hard bread and don’t open packets with your teeth
- Don’t chew ice
- After having sugary drinks or foods rinse your mouth with water and wait about 30minutes before brushing your teeth
- Chew a sugar-free gum after eating sweets to help clean your teeth. The gum will increase the production of saliva, aiding in removing any sugar coating the teeth
- Use a straw when drinking soft drinks or juices so the drink by-passes your teeth
- Use a fluoride toothpaste
- Have regular dental examinations and preventative maintenance appointments
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports
- Rinsing with warm salty water can help with some soft tissue infections> Take half a cup of warm water and mix ½ teaspoon of table-salt until it dissolves. Rinse your mouth gently for 1 minute. Do not swallow – spit the salt water mixture out
For trauma and accidents, this website has loads of helpful tips:
https://www.iadt-dentaltrauma.org/for-patients.html
or download the App: ToothSOS (This app is available only on the App Store for iPhone and iPad)
Pain Relief
We have found that Ibuprofen (Nurofen)® or Nuromol® is a very good control of dental pain.
However please consult with your medical practitioner if you believe you cannot take these medications.
Has your tooth been knocked out?
What You Can Do?
When a tooth has been knocked out, the nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues are damaged, too. The nerves and blood vessels can’t be repaired. That is why all avulsed teeth will need a root canal. However, the bone can reattach to the root of the tooth once it’s put back into place.
The odds of saving a tooth are highest in young children, but adult teeth can be saved as well. Only permanent teeth should be re-implanted.
It is important to get to the dentist as quickly as possible after a tooth has been knocked out. It is also important to avoid damaging the tooth even more.
Follow these suggestions to improve the chances of saving your tooth:
- Handle the tooth carefully. Try not to touch the root (the part of the tooth that was under the gum). It can be damaged easily.
- If the tooth is dirty, hold it by the upper part (the crown) and rinse it with milk. If you don’t have any milk, rinse it with water. Don’t wipe it off with a washcloth, shirt or other fabric. This could damage the tooth.
- Keep the tooth moist. Drop it into a glass of milk. If you can’t do this, place the tooth in your mouth, between the cheek and gum. A young child may not be able to safely “store” the tooth in his or her mouth without swallowing it. Instead, have the child spit into a cup. Place the tooth in the cup with the saliva. If nothing else is available, place the tooth in a cup of water. The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist.
- Try slipping the tooth back into its socket. In many cases, it will slip right in. Make sure it’s facing the right way. Don’t try to force it into the socket. If it doesn’t go back into place easily and without pressure, then just keep it moist (in milk, saliva or water) and get to the dentist as soon as you can.
If the tooth is intact (not broken in pieces), it is always a good idea to try to save it.
For trauma and accidents, this website has loads of helpful tips: https://www.iadt-dentaltrauma.org/for-patients.html or download the App: ToothSOS (This app is available only on the App Store for iPhone and iPad)
For additional information visit: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/knocked-out-tooth-avulsed-tooth
Free Tooth Paste!
We are always happy to supply a small travel-size toothpaste for your convenience whilst travelling-call in and see Shelly for your free tube, compliments of Moss Vale Dental.
Our Christmas / New Year Holiday Closing Hours 2019-2020
Friday 20th December 2019 to Monday 6th January 2020
