There are many situations which can constitute a dental emergency, and you may be left with having some time to kill before you can get an appointment after the global pandemic. If you have a dental emergency and you are waiting to see your dentist, you can follow the advice below which will help you deal with the situation and ensure that you do not make things any worse.
Suffering From Toothache
The first thing that you need to do in any dental emergency is to call your dentist, or wherever it is that you live. With there being a backlog of people wanting dental appointments after the global pandemic, dentists will prioritise their workload, so for a case of toothache, you may need to wait for a regular appointment. Try to avoid using aspirin as this can damage the enamel on your teeth and cause irritation to the gums. Instead, it would be best if you tried an over the counter numbing agent, which may give you some relief until you can see the dentist.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
If you suffer from an accident and a tooth is knocked out, then if you are quick enough, you may be able to save the tooth, and on average you have about thirty minutes to seek treatment to save the tooth. Call your emergency dentist in Sydney or wherever it is that you live immediately and ensure you collect the tooth, picking it up by the top chewing surface rather than the root which can cause damage. Rinse the tooth thoroughly with water and try pushing it back in, storing it in your mouth until you can see your dentist. Alternatively, you can also keep it in your mouth between your cheek and gums or wrap it in clean gauze and submerge it in milk which will help to preserve it.
A Loose Tooth
If you are an adult and you have a loose tooth, call your dentist, and explain the situation to them and arrange an appointment. Until you can see your dentist, you may wish to try using a cold compress and apply it to the side of your face, which is affected, which will help to reduce any swelling. Depending on the extent of the problem, you may be able to save the tooth, but you will also need to act quickly.
A Chipped Or Cracked Tooth
During the global pandemic, a chipped or cracked tooth would not be classed as a dental emergency which means you will need to see your dentist during regular hours. If you are going to have to wait to see your dentist, rinse your mouth out thoroughly with warm salt water, and use a cold compress on your face without adding too much pressure. If you are in pain, then you can try over the counter pain medications that you do not need a prescription for, and your dentist can give you a prescription for something stronger after you have seen them.
If you are experiencing any problems with your teeth or gums and you are not sure if it is classed as an emergency or not, call your local dentist and explain the situation to them. They will be able to recommend the best course of treatment for you and let you know the earliest that you can get a consultation.
