When tooth decay or gum disease are not treated at the right time, the infection travels to the root region and progresses to an abscess. A dental abscess is a pus-filled area near the root and gums, caused by a bacterial infection that has traveled down from an infected pulp to the root. A dental abscess should be treated as an emergency because the infection can travel through the jawbone and into the surrounding soft tissues and even other parts of the body through the blood. The infection can turn into something quite serious and cause swellings in the face. Dental abscesses cause intense pain in the affected tooth and surrounding gums, which increases in severity over time. You may also experience pain in the ear, jaw and neck region. Application of pressure on biting and heat can intensify this pain. If there is facial swelling, you may find it difficult to swallow or open your mouth properly. Some patients may also get a fever from the dental abscess. 

If you feel you have a dental abscess, call us to book an appointment with your dentist to treat the abscess. Try to take over-the-counter painkillers to relieve your tooth pain.  You can use cold compresses and saltwater rinses to alleviate some of your pain. Also, avoid eating any hard, spicy or hot foods. Choose soft foods to prevent applying any unnecessary pressure on the abscess. 

A blow to the face or fall may cause injury to the face and mouth region’s soft tissues. You may have bleeding wounds and possibly some fractures. You should call us immediately for advice or go straight to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.

Severe tooth pain may not allow you to eat, sleep, or perform daily activities. A toothache can be due to an infection that has reached the pulp tissue, a dental abscess, a cracked tooth, or inflammation of the nerves surrounding the tooth. If you experience pain even after taking over-the-counter painkillers, then you should call us to arrange an urgent appointment.

It can be terrifying to have your tooth knocked out but remember that you can save your tooth if you act quickly and rush to your dentist. Dentists often treat this type of dental emergency, so stay calm and act smartly. If you reach the dental clinic within 60 mins, there is a greater chance of your tooth reattaching itself to the socket. The longer you wait, the lower is your chance of being able to save the tooth. 

First things first, pick up the tooth with its crown portion and rinse it with some clean, lukewarm water to clean any dirt on it. Do not touch the root part of the tooth at any cost, as this will damage the root fibers needed for re-attachment. Do not blow on the tooth or dry it with paper towels, tissues, etc. Gently push the tooth back into the socket and bite down slowly to keep it in place till you reach the dental clinic for emergency care. If you cannot put the tooth back into the socket, store it in a cup or glass filled with milk, saltwater, or a save-a-tooth solution available at your local pharmacy. You can even use your saliva to carry the tooth in or place the tooth in your cheek area till you reach the dentist. But do not try this method on children as they may accidentally swallow the tooth if kept in the mouth. 

Once you reach the clinic, our dentist will rinse your tooth socket thoroughly and insert the tooth back in it. They will attach supporting wires or a splint to keep the tooth in place as it heals. Over the next couple of weeks, the body will heal itself, and your tooth will be back to being healthy and strong.

Children and adults alike can chip their teeth while engaging in sports and other physical activities. You must visit your dentist as soon as possible after chipping your teeth. If possible, try to find the chipped part and save it. You can rinse it lightly with warm water if there is dirt or grime on it. Place it carefully in a cup or ziplock bag filled with milk or saline water, and take it to the dentist with you. 

Do not eat anything too hot or cold as you may experience severe temperature sensitivity. If required, take some over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve pain. You can also bite down on a gauze or cotton piece to control the bleeding until you reach the dental clinic. Our dentist may be able to reattach the tooth piece if conditions are favourable, so fear not. 

Sometimes, teeth can crack after a fall or biting on something very hard. You might feel pain because of this.