Category

Emergency Dentist

Mar 07
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male patient holding face and suffering from toothache

Woolgoolga Emergency Dentist Explains What Counts as a Dental Emergency

By Emergency Dentist No Comments

Some people ignore their dental problems and don’t realize that they can worsen when left treated. Dental emergencies are classified as any incident involving the mouth which requires immediate care. Emergency dentist Dr. Arpit Pathak and his team help patients in New South Wales identify the root cause of their oral health problems and treat them accordingly. 

Still, not every situation is considered a dental emergency. To help you understand if you need to take a trip to the emergency room or visit an emergency dentist, ask yourself these five questions. If your answer is “yes” to any of the following questions, schedule an emergency dental appointment as soon as possible.

1. Are you in extreme dental pain?

People should not take toothaches lightly. Dental pain is a red flag. It’s the body’s way of telling us that something is not right in the mouth, such as a cavity, exposed nerves, or a broken tooth.

Until you’re able to visit the dentist, alleviate discomfort by:

  • Using over-the-counter pain medication as directed
  • Rinsing with saltwater
  • Applying a cold compress 

2. Are you experiencing non-stop bleeding from the mouth?

Although irritated gums are not necessarily a dental emergency, gums that won’t stop bleeding may indicate a serious underlying health issue. See your dentist right away if you are experiencing these issues.

3. Do you have sores that won’t resolve themself? 

If your tongue, mouth, or gums are covered with sores that won’t resolve themselves, this could indicate an underlying problem: oral cancer. Annually, approximately 2500 new oral and pharyngeal cancer cases are registered in Australia. See your dentist right away if you are experiencing these symptoms.

4. Do you have an infection or pimple on your gums?

If you notice swelling around your gums with pus coming out, this is a severe tooth infection called a tooth abscess. Don’t ignore it. Unfortunately, this infection can spread into your surrounding tissue and other areas of the body. Visit your dentist before it’s too late.

5. Do you have a dislodged permanent tooth?

Although it’s normal for children to shed their baby teeth as they grow up, it’s abnormal for adults to lose their permanent teeth. Even without discomfort, a loose tooth is alarming and may be linked to:

  • Periodontal disease
  • Trauma
  • Stress-related bruxism
  • Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy or menopause)

Ideally, you should schedule an emergency dental visit as soon as you notice a tooth is loose. Gradually, a loose tooth may worsen and cause damage to the gums and tooth roots, which may lead to infection or even loss. 

Meet with an Emergency Dentist Soon

Now that you’ve answered all of the essential questions and half self-assed your symptoms, you should be able to decide whether you must seek immediate attention or not: 

  • If you are experiencing any common signs indicative of a dental emergency, schedule an emergency dental appointment.
  • If you feel like you are suffering from life-threatening symptoms, please visit the emergency room as soon as possible. Most emergency rooms can provide antibiotics and help with fractured teeth or jaws (when necessary). 

Although comprehensive dental checkups can keep cavities and periodontal disease at bay, dental emergencies happen from time to time. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, it’s time to prevent it from worsening. Contact one of our three Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre locations, including: 

  • Woolgoolga (02) 6654-0650
  • Coffs Harbour (02) 6652-3242
Jan 10
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A person clutches their jaws to indicate the presence of a TMD

Woolgoolga Emergency Dentist Explains the Main Causes of a Toothache

By Emergency Dentist No Comments

Whether it comes on suddenly or gradually increases in severity, a toothache can cause major discomfort. Emergency dentist Dr. Arpit Pathak, along with his team, sees patients with toothaches that develop for a variety of reasons. Treatments vary depending on the origin of the discomfort and any damage that may have occurred to the dental structure. Although our main goal is to prevent toothaches through dental cleans and other preventative services, when patients are already experiencing discomfort, we provide urgent care as soon as possible.

1. A Cavity

Tooth decay is the most common reason for a toothache. In fact, according to one study conducted by the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), over 30% of Australian adults suffer from untreated dental decay.

Cavities develop when plaque accumulates and erodes the outer enamel, creating tiny cracks and holes. In this initial phase, the damage will typically be undetectable, except to a trained eye. As the damage progresses, the plaque will work its way into the softer dentin below the enamel and eventually into the inner pulp of the tooth. At this point, the nerve can become irritated and inflamed, causing a toothache.

To treat a cavity, an emergency dentist will most commonly place a dental filling. Composite fillings match the natural color of teeth, and patients can receive them in one office visit.

2. A Dental Abscess

Untreated decay may lead to a dental abscess, or infected tooth. When this occurs, a small infected pocket will appear at the end of the dental root. It is important to have this condition treated as soon as possible, since infection can spread to the gums and even the jawbone. Abscesses can also develop due to untreated gum disease and may affect the gums only or both the gums and the tooth.

A toothache due to a dental abscess can be quite severe. Common symptoms include:

  • Sharp, shooting pain
  • Pain that spreads to the jawbone or ears
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Bad breath
  • A bad taste in the mouth
  • Swollen gums
  • A loose tooth

If the infection is located in the tooth itself, rather than the gums, an emergency dentist will typically recommend root canal therapy. The doctor will clean out the infected tissue, administer needed medication to remove any remaining bacteria, and place a dental crown. Root canal treatment allows many patients to retain even acutely damaged teeth.

3. A Broken or Cracked Tooth

Biting down on something hard or getting hit in the mouth can cause a tooth to break. Studies show that adults over age 40 are the most likely to experienced damaged teeth and that lower molars are the most frequently broken teeth.

An emergency dentist will provide various treatments, based on the extent and type of damage. If it is only a small chip, dental bonding may be enough to fill in the space and prevent additional harm. Larger cracks will typically require a dental crown, which will cover up the tooth, keep the crack from growing any larger, and restore tooth functionality. If the crack has reached all the way to the root, root canal therapy may be necessary.

4. A Loose or Damaged Existing Filling

A filling may come out or loosen for several reasons. Additional tooth decay around the restoration can weaken a filling. Tooth grinding or trauma, such as a blow or biting down on something hard, can also damage a filling, just like it can natural dental tissue. Finally, an old filling may simply be too compromised to protect a tooth. If a filling does come out, is important to seek treatment as soon as possible since there is now an entryway for bacteria.

Most frequently, a dentist will simply replace a loose or missing filling. In some cases, if new decay has damaged a tooth, root canal therapy or a dental crown may be required.

Receive Outstanding Urgent Care from a Woolgoolga Emergency Dentist

If you are experiencing a toothache or any other type of dental emergency, contact the team at Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre. We will schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible, and we can guide you in minimizing your discomfort while you are still at home. We proudly serve patients in Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbor, and the surrounding areas. You can call us at (02) 5645 6376 or send a message online.

Jun 23
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woman sitting in office chair holding face because of dental pain

Dental emergency? Contact our Coffs Harbour emergency dentist now!

By Emergency Dentist No Comments

Dental emergencies can’t wait. Unfortunately, not all dentists are available for immediate dental treatment. Our Coffs Harbour emergency dentist at Magic Smiles is available when you need him most.

Not sure if you have a dental emergency? Severe oral pain, bleeding, and trauma are three factors that require urgent attention. Give our office a call and we can help you determine if you need immediate care or if it can wait until later.

Here are some of the most common dental emergencies we treat:

1. A knocked-out tooth

Sports injuries, roughhousing, and car accidents are a few of the most common causes of an avulsed tooth. In these instances, all hope is not lost.

If you have a knocked-out tooth, call an emergency dentist first. Then, pick up the tooth by the tip, not the root. Rinse it with water if you have it and try to place it back in its place. If you can’t, place it in a glass of milk (preferably) or water. Bring it with you to the dentist’s office. The dentist may be able to preserve the tooth if he gets to it fast enough.

2. Broken or cracked teeth

Teeth become broken or cracked for numerous reasons, such as eating crunchy, hard foods, chewing on nonedible items, sports injuries, and car accidents. A broken tooth should be treated the same as an avulsed tooth.

For a cracked tooth, bite on a clean cloth or gauze until you reach the dentist’s office. If your tooth is cracked, but not painful, it’s still worth a trip to the dentist. An untreated cracked tooth can lead to severe dental pain because of disease-causing bacteria that infiltrate the inner tooth structure.

3. Severe dental pain

Tooth pain that cannot be resolved by over-the-counter pain medications or other home remedies require emergency dental care. The pain could be a result of an untreated infection, cavity, or trauma. Only a dentist can find the root cause of the pain and treat it appropriately.

4. A broken jaw or severe jaw pain

Doctors and dentists can treat a broken jaw, but a dentist might be your best option. Severe jaw pain is the first and most obvious symptom of a broken jaw. You may also experience immobility of the jaw, bruising along the jawline, and misalignment of the jaws or teeth.

In the meantime, put ice on your jaw and tie something around your jaw and face if necessary. Then, get to the dentist’s office as soon as possible.

5. Abscess

An untreated dental or gum infection can lead to an abscess near the tooth root or soft tissues surrounding the teeth. An abscess typically looks like a pimple on the gum tissue.

Dental abscess pain is persistent and throbbing. It might radiate to the jawbone, neck, or ear. Patients with a dental or gum abscess may also have a fever, swelling, and tender lymph nodes.

When dental or gum abscesses are ignored, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone, soft tissues, and sinuses. It can also result in tooth loss and the spread of infection throughout the body.

Coffs Harbour Emergency Dentist

Don’t wait any longer to receive the emergency dental treatment you need. Our Coffs Harbour emergency dentist is here to help when you need us most. Call (02) 6652-3242 now.