Dental emergencies can happen anytime – and that includes during the Christmas holidays – probably one of the worst times possible (say goodbye to all that Christmas food!)
One day you’re feasting with family, the next day you’re dealing with a toothache, infection or a broken tooth.
No one wants to deal with unexpected dental emergencies over Christmas and holidays.
However, should the worst occur, the best thing to do is to call an emergency dentist in Armadale who will diagnose the issue and help you get back into the Christmas cheer.
What dental emergencies can happen over Christmas?
Well to put simply: any of them!
Just because you’re taking the time off doesn’t mean that your teeth and gums are.
A dental emergency during Christmas is probably one of the last things that will cross your mind.
Worse, many patients try to power through the pain – after all, it’s Christmas, and they don’t want to miss out on anything.
We don’t mean to spoil your holidays, but as we always say: if it hurts, it’s an emergency!
And some of the most common Christmas culprits are…
Missing dental fillings or crowns
Christmas and sticky food – name a more iconic duo.
Of course, that many sticky treats come with some issues – you could be enjoying a sticky snack or a caramelized delight when you suddenly feel it pulling your crowns or peeling your dental fillings away.
Thankfully, this is rare – when it happens however, this is a dental emergency!
Since dental fillings and crowns are often prescribed as protection for previously damaged or decayed teeth, these issues can expose them, leaving your teeth weakened and more prone to infection and other issues.
Chipped or broken tooth
You’re enjoying your holiday feast when you suddenly feel a part of your tooth feeling sensitive or in some cases even hurting – this is a clear sign that you have to deal with a broken tooth.
Bitten into something too hard? Are your teeth quite fragile to begin with?
If so, this is probably a frequent concern of yours!
Left untreated, a broken or chipped tooth is very susceptible to bacteria and other infections.
Over time, this can even spread deeper into the sensitive nerves in your teeth.
Here are some common causes of broken teeth that you might would want to avoid before and during the holidays if you don’t want to aggravate your teeth:
- Crunching down on ice blocks
- Hard foods, candies, and snacks that require biting
- Grinding your teeth
And of course, if you’re worried about an infection, you’ll want to get in touch with an emergency dentist as soon as you can!
Toothache
If you’ve been feeling a sharp, abrupt, or throbbing pain that seems to have popped up out of nowhere, you might want to visit your dentist as soon as possible because you’ve probably got a toothache on your hands!
Ignoring your toothache won’t solve the issue – in fact, it’ll make it even worse, and stop you from enjoying your holiday since you’ll be busy dealing with:
- Swollen cheeks and jaws
- Pain when biting
- Bad taste in your mouth
- High fever
The pain and discomfort from a toothache can come from a range of different sources including trauma, gum infection, abscesses, loose or broken fillings (see above) and even tooth infection.
No matter the cause, if it hurts, then it’s a dental emergency.
This is even more prevalent during Christmas, since it’s a time to eat and enjoy sugary foods and beverages – all of which can aggravate your pre-existing toothache.
Wisdom tooth eruption
If you’re in your late teens or early 20s, there’s another dental emergency you’ll need to keep an eye out for: your wisdom teeth.
There’s no exact date and time when a wisdom tooth erupts. It can happen anytime – and that includes over the Christmas holidays.
One of the most common reasons is a lack of space – wisdom teeth need room to erupt fully without causing pain, getting stuck or impacting your other teeth.
You cannot ignore wisdom tooth, especially when you are already experiencing:
Tooth sensitivity
- Gum infection
- Swelling and inflammation
- Stiffness or jaw pain
Even cases where your wisdom teeth eruption doesn’t come with pain can still be a problem!
An Armadale dentist will need to evaluate your teeth and determine whether or not it’s appropriate to go through with wisdom tooth extraction to ease the pain and discomfort that you’re feeling or prevent future issues.
Bleeding gums
Do your gums bleed with minimal pressure? If so, something’s wrong.
It should go without saying that your teeth aren’t supposed to bleed. So when they do – especially if it’s with minimal pressure or completely unprovoked – it’s best to get in touch with a professional.
Gum infection causes gum swelling, redness, and irritation. This gum condition may lead to gingivitis when not treated properly, which in turn can lead to a more serious gum problem called periodontitis or even sudden tooth loss.
Of course, it isn’t always a gum infection that’s to blame – in many cases, it could simply be a case of overly sensitive gums. The only way to know for sure is to get in contact with a dental professional!
Call an emergency dentist in Armadale these Christmas holidays
Most places will be turning on their answering machines, logging out of their email accounts and closing their offices over the Christmas holidays.
Not us.
Our dentist in Armadale understands that dental emergencies can occur any time of the year, often without any warning. While our clinic may be closed over Christmas, our team is still going to be around to give you help when you need it most.
All of your calls will be rerouted to us, and we’ll still be answering emails and providing advice throughout the holidays.
We’ll still be here to:
- Answer questions
- Provide advice
- Offer pain relief and temporary solutions
- Take urgent bookings
Dr Zelman Lew offers exceptional patient care and knowledge, carefully dealing with any of your dental emergencies no matter when they pop up.
Don’t let your Christmas be ruined by an unexpected dental emergency – save our Armadale dental clinic’s number that’s (03) 9509 1500 to your phone just in case.
Better yet, book a pre-Christmas appointment to identify potential issues and receive a dental health plan to stop them from turning into fully-fledged emergencies!
