When Should I Book An Emergency Dental Appointment?

If you have a dental emergency and need to find an emergency dentist in Wellington, Lower Hutt or Upper Hutt, we can help! Sometimes it can be hard to know whether the tooth pain or dental issue you are dealing with requires an emergency dentist appointment. This blog aims to make it easy to understand when to book an emergency dentist appointment. Learn: 

• What is a dental emergency? 
• How to know if you have a dental emergency 
• When you should visit the emergency room VS the dentist 
• Tips on how to avoid a dental emergency What is a dental emergency? 
• How to know if you have a dental emergency 
• When you should visit the emergency room VS the dentist 
• Tips on how to avoid a dental emergency 

What is a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies are dental problems that require immediate attention or treatment to prevent tooth loss or treat dental pain. Common dental emergencies include:  

• bleeding that won’t stop 
• pain in a tooth 
• a broken or knocked-out tooth 
• loose adult tooth 
• heightened tooth sensitivity 
• dental abscess 
• facial swelling 
• wisdom tooth infection 

Dental emergencies can occur at any time. It’s a good idea to have a regular dentist nearby so that you don’t have to spend time finding a new dentist or travelling far to get your dental problem treated. 

How do You Know if You Have a Dental Emergency? 

Some dental emergencies are painfully apparent — like when you knock out an adult tooth or experience unbearable tooth pain. However, not all dental emergencies will cause extreme pain. You may think that you can wait to visit your dentist for treatment if you aren’t experiencing any pain or don’t mind your broken tooth.  

Here’s the problem: Avoiding or delaying dental care can cause issues that are harder to fix and cost you more in the long run. That’s why if something feels different or just ‘not right,’ we recommend calling your dentist for an emergency dental consultation ASAP. 

Where Should You go for Emergency Dental Care? 

 Knowing where to go during a dental emergency can be confusing. Some people think you should go straight to the hospital, but others will advise you to contact your regular dentist for advice first. But who is right?  

• If you are experiencing an emergency, go directly to the closest hospital emergency room or call 111. This includes injuries that need immediate treatment, such as a fractured jaw, severe cuts or lacerations to your mouth, or injuries that are causing bleeding, swelling, restrictions to your breathing or swallowing, or severe redness.
• If you have a dental emergency that is not life-threatening but is urgent, you need to book an emergency dentist appointment. Talk about your symptoms with the receptionist. They may suggest seeking medical care if your injury needs immediate medical attention.

 It can be helpful to choose a regular dentist offering longer opening hours as dental emergencies can happen anytime, including after work and on the weekends.  

At Gentle Dental, we have four locations across Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, open until 6 pm or 8 pm most weeknights (excluding Friday). We also have two clinics open on Saturdays. We also offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies, making it easy to book an emergency appointment when you need it.   

How to Avoid a Dental Emergency 

Some dental emergencies are more common than others. Here are some ways to avoid common dental emergencies: 

 Unexpected toothaches: Toothaches can appear out of nowhere, but usually have underlying issues that have been developing for a while. To avoid severe toothaches, brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning every six months. 

Loose teeth: If you play sport, wear a mouthguard even for non-contact sports like basketball. Avoid diving into pools or performing back flips in unsafe environments.  

Chipped teeth: Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles. Eat a balanced diet and avoid chewing on hard or very sticky foods.   

Dental emergencies are more common than you think. Many dental issues are caused by seemingly normal activities, like eating certain foods (or failing to go to the dentist) rather than injuries or falls. If you need an emergency dentist appointment in Wellington, Lower Hutt or Upper Hutt, see our  friendly team at Gentle Dental. With same-day appointments available where possible, we can ensure the health of your smile.