If you require immediate attention from an emergency dentist in Wellington, contact Simply Dental on 0800-123-343 or 044-739-283.
Injured your mouth, teeth or gums? Don’t panic. Here’s our quick-read guide to dealing with dental injuries.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Anything that has lots of bleeding, lots of pain, or clearly needs immediate treatment qualifies. Fractures, dislodged or partially-dislodged teeth, broken teeth, fillings and crowns that have come loose and abscesses all qualify too. Other types of dental emergencies can include soft tissue injuries to the cheeks, lips, gums and tongue, and broken braces.
If your tooth has been knocked all the way out, seek medical attention immediately. Dislocated teeth have the highest chances of being restored if a dentist is seen without delay. Locate the tooth, clean gently with warm water (without scrubbing), and, if possible, gently insert the tooth into its matching empty socket. Alternatively, keep the tooth in your mouth while you wait for treatment.
Abscesses – painful, pimple-type swelling on the gums – are serious and should be treated by a professional as soon as possible.
Call an emergency dentist
If you’re in pain and need to see a dentist, don’t wait. Failing to get an injury sorted can lead to more expensive and more invasive treatment later on.
For an emergency dentist in Wellington, call 0800-123-343 or 044-739-283. Simply Dental’s main practice clinic is on Level 3 AMI Plaza 342 Lambton Quay Wellington CBD.
Remember: in New Zealand such accidents are often covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation, or ACC, (a Crown entity responsible for administering our country’s universal no-fault accidental injury). Read this post to find out what’s covered under ACC.
If it’s an emergency, but for some reason you can’t see a dentist in the short term, visit the nearest accident and emergency department or hospital for advice.
Tend to the injury
While you wait to see a dentist, use paracetamol and/or ibuprofen to manage pain. Avoid using the damaged area of your mouth. External cold treatments to cheeks, lips and mouths will help to keep swelling down.
Accidents happen
By acting quickly you’re more likely to avoid discomfort and expense in the future.
To prevent future injuries, avoid using your teeth to open bottles or pierce non-food items – teeth are for eating (and smiling)! If you’re playing a contact sport or recreational activity with the potential for injury, wear a custom mouthguard.
Contact Simply Dental for emergency dental care
Do you need an emergency dentist in Wellington? In the first instance, call Simply Dental on 0800-123-343 or 044-739-283.