Emergency Dentistry Melbourne, Richmond and Hawthorn

Chipped Tooth – These often give a very minimal discomfort and can be tolerated without pain relief medication until your dental visit. Rinse with warm salt water to remove bacteria and call to schedule an appointment. Mention that it is an emergency visit and we will give you priority scheduling.

Cracked Tooth – When this happens, rinse your mouth with warm salt water every few hours to remove bacteria. Take an over-the-counter pain medication and hold a cold compress on the outside of your face, where the affected tooth is. Keeping your head elevated might help alleviate pain until you can come to see us. Call us for a priority emergency appointment so we can schedule you in as soon as possible.

Broken Tooth – Rinse the piece of broken tooth with water, but do not scrub or wash it. Try to put the tooth back into place, but don’t force it into the socket. If you can fit the broken part of the tooth back onto the remaining tooth, use toothpaste or over-the-counter temporary dental bonding product to secure it until you can see us. If you cannot fit the tooth, put it in a container of full-fat milk and bring it to us. Teeth that are knocked out can often be saved, especially if you can see us within an hour.

Abscessed Tooth – This can be a painful bump, pocket or “bubble” at the base of a tooth, in the gum or gumline. It is an infection and should be dealt with right away. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every few hours and schedule an emergency visit with us. We will provide pain relief, then do an examination to find the cause of the abscess and treat it. Infections can spread, so calling your dentist as soon as you notice an abscess can help limit and more easily eradicate the infection.

Facial Swelling – Swelling takes place often due to an infection, but may also be due to hidden dental problems. Take over-the-counter pain medicine that also reduces swelling and use a cold compress on your face to relieve pain and swelling. Call us as soon as you notice the swelling and we will schedule you for a priority visit, so the problem doesn’t become a larger health issue.

Warm Saltwater Rinse – This is the easiest home remedy for tooth pain and can reduce irritation and ward off bacteria growth. Use 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, gently swish around your mouth and spit it out. Some people claim to find more relief when using Himalayan or pink salt.

Cold Compress – Use a cold cloth or ice pack on the outside of the face, where the pain is to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Do not place cold or ice on the affected tooth.

Cloves – Some people find relief from toothache by applying cloves to the tooth. You can use the spice right from the kitchen or clove oil. The taste may not be the best, but cloves contain eugenol, a powerful antiseptic and pain reliever, which can provide relief until you come to see us.

Turmeric Paste – Some people keep the herb on hand, and when mixed with water it can make a paste that will act as an antiseptic and pain reliever until you can come and see us.