Emergency Dental
If you are suffering from a medical emergency, please call 000 directly. Otherwise please call one of our surgeries so we can arrange an appointment.
Dental emergencies happen, usually when you least expect them, which is why at Jones Dental try to accommodate emergency appointments across our four locations. If you do find yourself in need of emergency care call us as soon as possible so we can arrange an appointment.
Toothache
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Before your dental appointment there are a number of things you can do to help relieve some of the pain and discomfort of a toothache. We recommend rinsing the mouth with water and trying to clean out debris from any obvious cavities. Use dental floss to remove any food that might be trapped within the cavity (especially between the teeth). If swelling is present, place a cold compress to the outside of the cheek (do not heat). Take pain relief if necessary, using pain medicines that you know you are safe with.
Remember, pain relief tablets do not work if placed directly on the tooth. They must be swallowed as directed. If placed on the tooth, they can cause more trouble (especially aspirin).
Sports Accidents
Accidents do happen, both on and off the sporting field, and when they do there can be serious consequences for our teeth. The good news is that much of the trauma of dental injury can be minimised if you know what precautions to take and what to do in the unfortunate event you suffer damage to your teeth.
Children
- Act quickly – Find the tooth, make sure it’s clean and hold it by the crown only, not the root.
- Place the tooth back in position, making sure it’s facing the right way round (if it’s a baby tooth, don’t place it back in.)
- Get to your dentist straight away
- If you can’t get the tooth back in position immerse the tooth in milk or saliva to transport to your dentist.
If your child develops a toothache book an appointment with your dentist straight away. In the meantime you can rinse your child’s mouth with salt water, use paracetamol to alleviate pain and if there’s swelling present, use a cold compress. (This does not apply to babies who are teething – see our children’s dental page for more information)
Adults
If a tooth is knocked out:
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown only, not the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in milk but don’t scrub or soak it. If milk is not available wash the root under cold water for no more than 10 seconds.
- Place the tooth back in position, making sure it’s facing the right way round. Once positioned gently bite down on soft cloth or tissue, or use your mouthguard to hold it in place.
- If you can’t get the tooth back in position immerse the tooth in milk or saliva to transport to your dentist.
- Get to your dentist as soon as possible, ideally within 30 minutes.
Playing any contact or semi-contact sport poses a risk to your dental health. A properly fitted mouthguard can protect you from serious sporting injuries, such as broken jaws, fractured, cracked or knocked-out teeth, cut lips and tongues. For more information see our mouthguard page.
Jones Dental Wollongong and Unanderra are open every Saturday 9am to 5pm and keep emergency spots available for sports accidents and dental trauma.
Missing Crowns
If you experience a crown falling out, the first step is to put the crown in a safe place. In many cases your dentist will be able to re-cement the crown back into its original position, so it is very important to keep your crown safe.
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In some cases it may not be possible to re-cement the existing crown. Your dentist will advise you on a range of treatment options in this situation and make sure your tooth is protected.
Broken Teeth
If you experience a broken or cracked tooth call us straight away to make an appointment with your dentist.
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Lost Filllings
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Often weakened, cracked or worn fillings are identified by your dentist during regular dental examinations. Your dentist may also recommend taking dental x-rays to see what’s happening below the surface of a filling and will assist in identifying issues not visible to the naked eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have an out of hours emergency?
My child has a toothache, what should I do?
Can I book an emergency appointment now?
Yes, through our online appointment book you can make regular or emergency dental appointments at any time. Alternatively you can call us on (02) 4228 6611 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturdays to make an emergency appointment. If you are looking to book an appointment out of hours please leave a message, or book online.
Call Us: (02) 4228 6611
or
Wollongong
60 Crown St, Wollongong
(02) 4228 6611
Unanderra
27 Central Rd Unanderra
(02) 4271 1468
Oak Flats
90 Central Ave, Oak Flats
(02) 4256 1087