Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Holiday Dental Emergencies: What Glen Iris Families Should Do

Let’s face it — holidays and accidents often go hand in hand. Whether the kids get a little too energetic at the Park, or a festive glass of eggnog turns into a mishap, it’s important to know how to handle a dental emergency quickly and calmly. At Tooronga Family Dentistry, we often see an increase in emergency visits from Glen Iris families during the holiday season.

Below is a simple guide to help you manage common dental accidents before you get to the dentist.

If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out

A knocked-out tooth is an emergency — you’ll need to see a dentist immediately.
Here’s what to do:

  1. Find the tooth and rinse it gently with water.

  2. If it is a permanent tooth ( the person is older than 6 years) try to reinsert it into the socket if you can, holding it by the crown (the top).

  3. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in a glass of milk to keep it moist.

Knocked-out teeth can often be saved if treated within one hour, so call us right away.

If a Tooth Gets Chipped or Broken

  1. Collect any broken pieces of the tooth.

  2. Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any debris.

  3. If bleeding occurs, place gauze on the area until it stops.

  4. Apply a cold compress from the outside to reduce swelling.

Visit the dentist as soon as possible, especially if the damage exposes the inner layers of the tooth.

If Someone Has a Toothache

Toothaches have many potential causes — decay, infection, trauma, sinus pressure, or even something stuck between teeth.
Until you can see your dentist, you can try to:

  • Brush and floss gently to remove food particles

  • Apply a cold compress

  • Take over-the-counter pain relief

Persistent or severe toothache should always be assessed by your dentist.

Stay Prepared This Holiday Season

We hope your holidays in Glen Iris are accident-free, but knowing what to do can make all the difference in protecting your family’s smiles.

If a dental emergency occurs, 👉Call or book online Tooronga Family Dentistry on (03) 9822 7006 so we can help you quickly.

📍 Conveniently located for families in Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East

What to Do After a Dental Accident: Emergency Steps to Save Your Teeth in Glen Iris

Accidents happen — and when they involve your teeth, acting fast can make all the difference. Dental injuries from falls, sports, or everyday mishaps can cause cracks, chips, or even tooth loss. The good news? You can often minimize the damage if you know what to do and when to contact your dentist.

At Tooronga Family Dentistry, Dr. Kaufman and our team are here to help you handle dental emergencies quickly and effectively. Here’s what you should know if you or your child experiences dental trauma.

After a Fall — Don’t Assume Everything Is Fine

Even if your teeth look intact after a fall, there could still be internal damage. Cracks, loosened teeth, or root injuries aren’t always visible to the naked eye. If left unchecked, these can lead to long-term dental complications.

Always book an emergency appointment with Dr. Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry to ensure no hidden damage has occurred. The sooner you get examined, the better the chances of saving your tooth.

Dental Accidents in Children

Bumps and falls are part of growing up, but a knocked-out tooth requires immediate attention. Follow these steps to minimize long-term damage:

  1. Find the tooth — Hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root.
  2. Clean it gently — If dirty, rinse with clean running water. Don’t scrub or touch the root.
  3. Reinsert the tooth if it’s permanent — Gently place it back in the socket, ensuring it’s facing the right way.
    • If it’s a baby tooth, do not reinsert it. Place it in a bag and bring it to your dentist.
  4. Call Tooronga Family Dentistry immediately.
  5. If you can’t replant it, store it in milk or saliva. Older children may keep the tooth in their mouth if safe to do so.

If your child complains of a toothache after a fall, rinse with salt water (1 teaspoon salt in a cup of lukewarm water) and use paracetamol for pain relief. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling — but remember, this does not apply to teething infants.

For broken or bent braces or retainers, remove them and bring them to Dr. Kaufman for adjustment. Learn more about orthodontic emergencies.

Dental Trauma in Adults

If you lose a tooth due to an accident, time is critical — ideally, see Dr. Kaufman within 30 minutes. The faster you act, the greater the chance of saving your tooth.

Follow these steps:

  1. Find the tooth and handle it by the crown only.
  2. Rinse with clean water if dirty — never scrub or soak it.
  3. Reinsert it gently into the socket and bite down softly on a tissue, gauze, or mouthguard to keep it in place.
  4. Call Tooronga Family Dentistry right away.
  5. If you can’t replant it, transport it in milk or saliva.

Final Thoughts

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone — children or adults. Knowing what to do in those first few moments can be the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Keep our number handy, and if an accident occurs, contact Tooronga Family Dentistry immediately for professional care and peace of mind.

 

Habits That Can Damage Your Teeth: What to Avoid and Better Alternatives in Glen Iris

Some everyday habits may seem harmless but can actually harm your teeth in the long run. Here are some common examples and tips for protecting your smile:

Using Your Teeth as Tools
Opening packages or ripping tags with your teeth may seem convenient but puts you at risk for cracked or broken teeth. Instead, keep a small multi-tool or scissors handy to save your teeth for smiling—not cutting!

Nail Biting
Biting your nails can cause painful nail infections and may even damage your teeth. Like using your teeth as tools, this habit increases the risk of chips and cracks. Break the habit by getting a manicure or covering fingernails with bandages.

Chewing Ice
Ice is very hard and can put stress on your teeth, causing cracks, chips, or even fracturing existing fillings or crowns. It may also leave your jaw muscles sore. If you crave something chewy and refreshing, opt for sugar-free gum instead.

Using Toothpicks Incorrectly
Frequent or aggressive use of round toothpicks can damage gums and teeth. Toothpicks can become wedged between your teeth and gums, causing irritation or even injury. If you need to remove food particles, use floss or interdental brushes. If you prefer toothpicks, choose anatomically shaped ones and use them gently.

Protect Your Smile!
By kicking these damaging habits, you can maintain strong, healthy teeth for life. If you have questions about tooth health or need advice on better oral habits, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman.

Broken, Chipped or Cracked Teeth – What Glen Iris Patients Need to Know

Tooth enamel is one of the strongest materials in the human body, but even strong enamel can break, chip or crack—especially with some of the crunchy foods we love around Glen Iris. Crunching down on hard foods like pork crackling, ice or candy is one of the most common causes of cracked teeth. A fall while walking around Gardiner’s Creek Trail or a sporting knock at TH King Oval can also lead to sudden tooth damage.

If a tooth already has decay, is weakened by grinding, or has an old restoration, it is even more likely to fracture.

A cracked or broken tooth may not always hurt, especially if the tooth has already had a root canal treatment. More commonly, pain appears while chewing, when pressure causes the cracked sections of the tooth to move. You may also notice sensitivity to heat or cold if the nerve inside the tooth is irritated or exposed.

When left untreated, a cracked tooth can allow bacteria to enter deeper layers of the tooth, the root canal system and even the bone—leading to serious infection and possible tooth loss.

Below are the common types of tooth fractures that we treat every week at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris, and the treatments most often used.

Minor Cracks

Small surface cracks in the enamel—often caused by tooth grinding, clenching or hard foods—are very common.
At Tooronga Family Dentistry, these are often resolved with a simple polish to remove rough edges and improve comfort.

A Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is at high risk of breaking apart.
If the crack runs through a tooth with a filling or decay, we will:

  1. Remove the old filling and any decay

  2. Rebuild the tooth using a strong composite restoration, which holds the cracked segments together

This restores strength and prevents further fracture.

Tooth Chips

Small chips can usually be repaired with a composite filling to prevent the damage from worsening.
If the chip is tiny and does not affect your smile, we may simply polish the area.

Large Fractures

When a large portion of the tooth breaks away, it often means the crack reaches the nerve. This can cause severe sensitivity or pain.
In these cases, treatment usually involves:

  • Root canal therapy

  • A custom crown to protect the weakened tooth

Split Tooth

If a crack runs vertically and the tooth is separated into two sections, treatment options include:

  • Root canal treatment, if the split is limited

  • Extraction, if the split is too deep to restore

If You Break, Chip or Crack a Tooth in Glen Iris

If you notice a crack, chip or break—even if it doesn’t hurt—it is important to see Dr Daniel Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

You can book online or 👉Call.
📍 Conveniently located for families in Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East

When Dental Fillings Break or Fall Out: Why It Happens and What to Do

Dental fillings are designed to protect damaged teeth and restore their strength and function. While modern filling materials are durable and long-lasting, they are still exposed to the same daily stresses as natural teeth. Over time, fillings may wear down, chip, crack, or break, especially during activities such as chewing, clenching, or grinding. Even everyday foods—like chewy lollies or pork crackling—can cause unexpected damage.

You may not notice gradual wear, but certain signs should never be ignored. If you suddenly feel a hard fragment in your mouth, notice a new gap between teeth, or detect a sharp edge, it’s likely that a piece of the filling or tooth has broken off. In these cases, it’s important to contact us promptly so we can examine the area and restore the tooth before further damage occurs.

Why Prompt Treatment Matters

When part of a filling breaks or falls out, it creates an opening where bacteria can easily enter. Once bacteria reach deeper layers of the tooth, the risk of nerve damage, pain, or a dental abscess increases significantly. These cavities or gaps also make the area harder to clean, which may lead to gum irritation, bleeding, and gum disease.

While a lost or damaged filling isn’t always an emergency, it should always be assessed by a dentist. Early treatment can prevent more extensive problems and help preserve the long-term health of your teeth.

For an examination or advice on a broken filling, please contact Dr Daniel Kaufman or 👉Call or book online Tooronga Family Dentistry on (03) 9822 7006 so we can help you quickly.

📍 We proudly care for the smiles of the Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East communities.