Your holiday break is a time for fun, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones.
Unfortunately, dental emergencies can strike at any time, and with beach cricket games, new bikes from Santa, and plentiful supplies of chewy Christmas candies, your teeth might be at particular risk during the holiday season.
Whether you find yourself grappling with a toothache, a lost filling, or a chipped, or even knocked-out tooth, rest assured that our experienced emergency dentists at Lillybrook Dental are here to provide you with fast, appropriate, and affordable treatment.
With our same-day, emergency appointments, we’re here for you with emergency dental care when you need us.
In this article, we’ll run through some common dental emergencies, and give you our best tips on how to handle them.
Table of Contents
ToggleToothaches, abscesses or infections
It’s no secret that most of us love to indulge in a few Christmas goodies during the holiday season but if sampling the Christmas pudding has you wincing in pain, you might need to visit the emergency dental clinic.
A nasty toothache might quickly turn your holiday cheer into intense discomfort. Here’s what you can do:
- Start by giving your mouth a thorough rinse with warm water. If you’re dealing with swelling, gently place a cold compress against the affected cheek.
- For over-the-counter pain relief, visit your closest pharmacy or give our practice a call for advice. Avoid putting any medications directly on the affected area as this may lead to ulcers or burns.
- If your pain persists, it might be a sign of a deeper issue, possibly an infection. An abscess is a localised infection that may form at the root of your tooth or between your teeth and gums. If left untreated this infection can damage your surrounding tissue and teeth and, in some serious cases, it could even make you quite unwell. Contact us for prompt treatment or contact hospital emergency for after hours.
A lost filling or crown
Sometimes dental crowns and fillings can come loose. If you’ve bitten into a hard Christmas candy and felt a wobble, or found your crown or filling has come out completely, follow these steps.
- Keep the area clean. Unfortunately, without the crown or filling, your exposed tooth is vulnerable to bacteria or any food and drink you might consume. The area can also become very sensitive to heat and cold. Gently rinse your mouth with warm water and avoid eating or drinking anything before getting advice from your dentist.
- To avoid further damage to your tooth or its delicate nerve, it’s best to book an appointment with us as soon as possible to have your crown or filling replaced.
A chipped, broken or knocked-out tooth
If Santa brought a new skateboard and your little one’s had a tumble and chipped or broken a tooth, or even managed to knock it out completely, follow these steps:
- Handle the tooth or tooth fragments carefully. Avoid touching the tooth root and don’t scrub or try to remove any fragments of tissue. If cleaning is necessary, gently rinse in milk contact solution, or water with a pinch of salt. This will also help keep it moist.
- Keep the tooth pieces safe, in a sealed container or pouch. Your dentist might be able to reattach or reinsert them.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm water. If there’s any bleeding, apply a clean cloth with gentle pressure to the affected area.
- Come straight to your emergency dentist. Time is of the essence when it comes to broken or knocked-out teeth to avoid complications.
How Lillybrook Dental can help
We’re willing to bet that an emergency dental visit isn’t on your list of Christmas wishes. However, if you do find yourself in a position where you or a loved one needs emergency dental care, Lillybrook Dental has got your back.
To ensure you’re not left to suffer unnecessarily, we reserve time every day for last-minute emergency appointments. Your oral health is our priority, even during the holiday season.
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at Lillybrook Dental or make a booking here.
*All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Lillybrook Dental can consult with you to confirm which treatment is right for you.