Emergency Dentist Gold Coast
Dental Emergencies at Robina Town Dental
Dental emergencies can strike at any moment. You may be chomping down on a juicy steak one moment and the very next moment, you hear a cracking sound and out pops a broken tooth from your mouth. When a dental emergency occurs, knowing what to do and where to get professional help can mean the difference between dragging out a painful episode versus treating the symptoms and dental problem in a calm and collected way. In the event of severe trauma or injury to your mouth, finding a reliable emergency dentist on time will greatly increase your chances of salvaging a broken or chipped tooth.
Not every dental practice provides emergency services. It is always a good idea to have an emergency dentist contact on hand. Do not get caught in a situation where you need immediate dental assistance but are not sure which practice to call. You may also wish to find out whether your family dentist offers emergency services. After all, you would want your family emergency dentist in your local Gold Coast area – someone who is familiar with your dental history and with whom you have established good rapport – to attend to your dental crisis.
When you need immediate professional dental services...
At Robina Town Dental, we are equipped with the right training and expertise to handle most types of dental emergency. When you need to make that urgent call, we offer you the assurance of an experienced team that is trained to respond in any given situation. We give special priority to emergency dental cases, within normal clinical hours. We regard emergency appointments as an important facet of our regular services. That means we set aside specific emergency appointments to see patients on short notice.
Common dental emergencies are:
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As healthcare professionals, we understand that our duty extends beyond offering pain relief and effective treatment for the patient but also to be sensitive to their emotional stress during emergency situations. We take pride in our ability to offer quick and decisive action under time constraints, while showing compassion and empathy in all our dealings.
At Robina Town Dental, we want to provide you with the professional dental assistance you need, in an effective, coordinated and friendly manner.
Robina Town Dental offers our emergency patients priority treatment because some things simply cannot wait. If you have an emergency, contact us immediately on (07) 5575 9100 or text message 0413 062 026.
Dental Emergency Tips
The first rule for handling a dental emergency is this: Do not panic. However, it is only possible if you know what to do when the inevitable happens. It is important that you familiarize yourself with some dental emergency tips, which may also be used as stop gap measures until you are able to see a dentist. Always keep your emergency dentist’s contact stored on your mobile phone or in a convenient physical location where you can easily retrieve.
Toothache and abscess
Toothaches and abscesses are normally caused by decay, infection or inflamed gums. They both have the potential to cause pain, ranging from mild to extreme.
Use a toothbrush or dental floss to gently dislodge any food particles that may be stuck in between your teeth. You may take over-the-counter pain-relief medication – like Panadol or Neurofen – or rinse your mouth with warm water to temporarily soothe the pain. Never crush the pain-relief tablets and apply the powdered form directly onto the gums as they might burn the gum tissue.
A viable option for pain relief is to apply cold compress over the area – either an ice pack or bag of frozen peas would work. If left untreated, a toothache would worsen over time and develop into bigger dental problems. For example, the dental infection may develop into a serious gum disease and affect the jawbones. To prevent the possible spread of the infection, you will need to see your Gold Coast dentist as soon as possible.
Knocked out tooth
If your permanent tooth is knocked out, call your emergency dentist immediately. That would ensure the best chance of saving the tooth. If that is not possible, there are a few things you can do.
First, gently pick the tooth by the crown – make sure you do not touch the root. Use running water to gently rinse off any dirt. Do not to remove any tissues still attached to your tooth. Try to gently place the tooth back into its socket and hold it in place using firm pressure. The tooth needs to be reinserted within the first hour or so after the accident. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in a glass of milk and bring it to see a dentist immediately.
Important NOTE: Never try and place a deciduous tooth back in the socket as this could affect the adult tooth beneath.
Chipped or cracked tooth
When a person suffers an injury or trauma to the face or mouth, a chipped or fractured tooth is a fairly common result – particularly if the injured party is a young child.
If the chipped or cracked tooth is not sensitive, you would only need to fix an appointment with your dentist to evaluate and repair the problem. However, if you notice swelling in the gums or the tooth darkening, those are signs of nerve damage. If the tooth is sensitive to touch, air or water, seek immediate help.
For children or adults who actively participate in contact sports, a mouthguard offers the best protection against any dental injuries. The most effective mouthguards are those customised by a dentist to fit your individual teeth structure and give ultimate protection especially for the heavy contact sports like Football/Boxing etc.
Lost fillings or crowns
Losing a filling is not always immediately painful, but the exposure can cause serious damage if the issue is not promptly addressed. If you lose a filling, you would need to protect the area until you make it to see the dentist. You may temporarily fill the gap with sugarless gum or use an over the counter dental cement.
If a visible tooth has a crown and is dislodged, try to place the crown back into its original position and secure it with denture adhesive or toothpaste, though take out to eat so you don’t swallow it. Keep the crown in a safe place, bring it with you to see the dentist. Do not use any form of commercial adhesives like superglue.
In both cases, call a dentist’s office to fix an appointment as soon as you can.
ToothSOS
If you are in an emergency dental situation that does require immediate attention, you can refer to ToothSOS, a free app available on Google Play and the App Store. The official International Association of Dental Traumatology app can help you in case you are in a traumatic tooth injury as it takes you step by step in any situation from a knocked out tooth to a broken or chipped tooth.
Prevent further injury and preserve your smile by downloading the app today.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
The most important thing you should do is remain calm. When you find yourself in agonising pain, the first thing you should do is contact your dentist’s office. Your message may also be relayed to a dentist so that he or she can contact you to find out about your situation and offer instructions on what you can do in the meantime. There are a few things you can do on your own to alleviate some of the issues during an emergency – please read above for Dental Emergency Tips.
If you have an emergency, you can contact Robina Town Dental at (07) 5575 9100.
What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any injury to the mouth or sudden pain or swelling that needs the urgent attention of a dentist.
Contact our Gold Coast dental emergency services if you have:
- sudden toothache
- chipped or cracked tooth
- knocked out tooth
- lost filling or crown
- broken braces or dentures
How do I get an emergency dentist appointment?
If you need to see a dentist urgently, contact our clinic on 07 5575 9100 to book an appointment with a Robina emergency dentist. We'll give you advice over the phone to help you manage pain and other symptoms before your emergency dentist appointment.
How much does an emergency dentist cost?
The cost of treatment varies based on the type of emergency dental work you need, but an appointment with our Gold Coast emergency dentist usually starts from $350. We can give you an estimate so you know what to expect and can also discuss health funds and payment plans to help you manage the cost.
Is a tooth infection a dental emergency?
If your tooth feels very painful or sensitive to temperature, you could have a pulp infection or a dental abscess. Both can cause permanent damage to your teeth if they're not treated in time, even leading to tooth loss. We recommend booking an emergency dentist appointment if you're experiencing severe discomfort.
What is the best painkiller for severe toothache?
If you need to relieve tooth pain at home, anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can be effective, as they reduce inflammation (swelling) to put less pressure on the tooth. If you want to talk to a dentist about your toothache, call our clinic so we can decide if you need emergency dental work.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
If you can't see our emergency dentist Gold Coast until the next day, you can try to relieve toothache overnight by:
- only eating soft foods that aren't too hot or cold
- using over-the-counter pain medication
- placing an ice pack or cold compress on your cheek
- keeping your head elevated
Do emergency dentists remove teeth?
If a tooth is too badly damaged or infected to be restored, our Robina emergency dentist may recommend extraction. We can discuss ways to replace the extracted tooth and restore your smile using a dental bridge, partial denture or implant.
What if I can't get an emergency dentist appointment?
We set aside time every day so our Gold Coast emergency dentist can treat urgent patients, but if we don't have any appointments available, we can refer you to another local clinic who may be able to help you. We can also offer home care advice over the phone.
What should I expect when I call up or visit an emergency dentist?
When you call our friendly staff will ask you a few questions to assess the seriousness of your condition, such as extent of pain or injury. We call this triaging, which is a process for sorting patients into groups based on their condition and whether it is urgent enough to warrant an emergency visit. In cases where immediate care is deemed necessary, you may be given an instant appointment without the need for prior booking. Patients with less urgent conditions may be given an appointment the following day or in a few days depending on the circumstances and urgency.
During the visit, the dentist would normally check on the injured site or area that is causing the pain, followed by relieving the pain. Depending on your condition, he would then work on repairing the broken, chipped or knocked out tooth. If decay or infection has been determined as the cause of the pain, the dentist may advice a root canal or restorative procedure to fix the dental problem.
Examples of serious problems that will be treated as an emergency appointment include chipped or broken tooth, severe toothaches and swelling.
What are the expected costs for a Dental Emergency on the Gold Cost?
It is difficult to ascertain a specific range of dental fees for an emergency appointment as the type and degree of injury/ condition varies from patient to patient, generally an estimate would be from $350. We understand, however, that seeking treatment during a dental emergency can be a stressful experience. That is why we work with health insurance companies and financial institutions to minimise your out-of-pocket expenses and provide more flexible payment options.
Children’s dental emergencies
Good oral hygiene must begin at childhood and regular dental check-ups should be an indispensable facet of a healthy lifestyle. However, there is no telling when dental problems may arise, and they may be due to an injury, accident or dental caries.
Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases that affect children – even more prevalent than asthma or chronic bronchitis. Untreated caries can lead to pain, infection, chewing problems, abscesses and other dental ailments.
Do not brush aside early symptoms of oral pain as you may allow a dental ailment still in its beginning stages to get out of hand. Whether your child suffers from a broken tooth or a severe toothache, you can visit a child-friendly dentist who also handles children’s dental emergencies. Ideally, a child-friendly dentist not only offers therapeutic and preventive dental care for kids, but is also experienced in risk assessment, diagnosis and treatment of ailments in the event of dental emergencies.
At Robina Town Dental, our friendly team of Gold Coast dentists and oral health therapists are well equipped to handle a comprehensive range of children-related dental problems, including children’s emergency dentistry. Contact us at (07) 5575 9100 to inquire about our child-friendly dental emergency services.
Eligible children aged 2-17 years of age can claim their Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), capped at $1000 per child over a period of two years. Click here for more information about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
The last thing you need is to be unnecessarily burdened by the associated treatment costs. At Robina Town Dental, we accept a broad range of health funds to help reduce your out-of pocket expenses as much as possible. As a Bupa Members First Ultimate Provider, we offer ongoing benefits such as No Gap Kids Dental*, known out-of pocket expenses, on-the-spot claiming facilities, etc. Click here for more details.
Further, our partnership with Denticare also offers our patients easy payment solutions, including interest-free payment options. Click here for more details.
* When treatment is provided by a Members First dentist. Available on our family packages, Ultimate Health Cover, Silver, Gold and Platinum Extras covers when taken with hospital cover on a family membership. Fund rules, waiting periods and yearly limits apply. Child dependants only. Includes major dental in VIC and SA only. Excludes orthodontics and hospital treatments.