Dental Emergencies

If you are in pain, you may be wondering whether you are able to arrange an emergency appointment to diagnose and treat the source of the problem. A dental emergency is different from a medical emergency and you may be able to be seen by a dentist sooner than you think. A dental emergency can cover a broad range of complaints, including:

Severe dental pain – If you are in severe dental pain an emergency dental appointment could provide the necessary care to relieve your dental pain.

Uncontrolled Bleeding from the mouth – Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth is considered a dental emergency and you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

Knocked-out tooth – If your tooth has fallen out due to impact or injury then an emergency dental appointment could save the tooth if it is booked rapidly after tooth loss.

Infection – An Abscess in the mouth is considered a dental emergency, as a serious infection could be life-threatening. If you are experiencing swelling in or around your mouth or can feel knots in the jaw, you should speak to your dentist immediately.

In short, you should contact a dentist if you are unsure about any of the above symptoms you are experiencing.

When you are considering whether you have a dental emergency, it is important to understand when is not a dental emergency.

A cracked or chipped tooth is not a dental emergency unless sharp fragments remain in your mouth or you are in severe pain.

Toothache can wait for a general dental appointment when it is not causing severe pain. If you can wait to be seen by a dentist then your toothache may not require an emergency appointment.

A missing crown or filling is not considered a dental emergency; however, your dentist may see you as a priority, and you may be able to be seen sooner than usual.

If you conclude that your situation is not an emergency, you should still contact your dentist. The practice may be able to arrange an ad hoc appointment, and you could receive treatment much sooner than you expect.

Aside from being painful, dental emergencies can feel frustrating. Whilst you are waiting for your appointment, it is important to understand how you can best look after your oral health until you see a dentist. Even if you are not sure what is causing the problem, looking after your oral health is especially important when you are experiencing dental problems.

This is only an emergency when you have a serious or painful fracture. Once you have booked your emergency appointment, you can care for your fractured tooth in the meantime by cleaning your mouth carefully with warm water and applying a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to relieve any pain.

An abscessed tooth can be a serious and life-threatening condition. An abscess is a pocket of pus. This can cause fever, tender lymph nodes in the neck, swelling in the face and a protruding ‘bump’ next to the infected tooth. If you suspect that you may have an abscess, you should book an emergency dentist appointment right away.

An abscessed tooth is considered a dental emergency. If left untreated, the infection could spread to the jaw and other parts of the body. Whilst you are waiting for your emergency appointment, you should avoid hot food and drink, use a soft toothbrush, and you may want to avoid flossing the affected area. Before your emergency appointment, carefully swish your mouth with warm salt water to draw the pus to the surface.

An Abscess can be extremely painful, and you should avoid painkillers such as numbing gel before your emergency appointment.

When you experience a knocked-out tooth, it can be easy to panic, especially when the tooth is from the very front of your mouth. However, a knocked-out tooth is not just a cosmetic problem. A gap in the gum caused by a missing tooth can cause the remaining teeth to move and can cause weakening in the jaw.

With rapid action, an emergency dental appointment could save your tooth. Whilst you are waiting for your appointment, you should clean your tooth with running water being careful not to touch the root. If it is possible, place the tooth back into the socket. If this is not possible, you should place your tooth in a glass of milk until you go to the dentist. This will help to maintain the pH balance of the tooth and preserve any living elements of your knocked-out tooth.

Regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms of infection or a knocked-out tooth, you should do your best to ensure that the area is clean and free from the debris of food, which may cause further infection.

Once you have identified that you need an emergency appointment, you should contact a dentist. This appointment may not be with your usual dentist, and you do not necessarily have to go to a practice where you are registered as a patient. When you call the dental practice, you should explain the problem and state that you would like an emergency appointment.

Many surgeries will keep some appointments available for patients seeking emergency help, and staff at the dental surgery will be able to offer the next available emergency appointment. If you are looking for an emergency appointment out of hours, some practices offer out-of-hours appointments.

If you are unable to access an emergency appointment at your usual dental practice, you may be able to contact another dental practice to access an emergency appointment without being registered.

epending on your emergency, your dentist will locate and treat the cause of the problem. If you are in severe pain your dentist will be able to diagnose the issue and offer pain relief. In some instances, it may be necessary to remove a tooth causing pain but your dentist will explain this before it happens.

If you have a knocked-out tooth, depending on how soon you are able to get an emergency appointment, your dentist may be able to reinsert the tooth. To hold it in place they will fix the tooth to the teeth on either side of it. You may need to return in a couple of weeks to have the splint removed.

If your tooth cannot be saved, it can normally be replaced with an implant or bridge. Your dentist will be able to advise on the best course of action during your emergency appointment.

If you have an abscess your dentist will use your emergency appointment to assess the affected area and attempt to remove the abscess. Depending on where the abscess is in your mouth there are a number of ways that your dentist will be able to remove it, including:

Root Canal – A root canal can remove the abscess from the affected tooth before filling and sealing it.

Tooth Extraction – This may be necessary if it is not possible to perform a root canal treatment.

Incision and Drainage – This is where a small incision is made and the abscess is drained. This is often used as a temporary solution and further treatment may be needed.

You will have to pay for your emergency appointment or any subsequent treatment that you receive. Often the cost of the emergency treatment (to relieve pain or threat to life) is covered in the cost of the treatment.

You should only visit the Accident and Emergency Department for a genuine and life-threatening medical emergency. It is not necessary to visit A&E for a dental emergency unless you have experienced trauma to the mouth or face, are experiencing severe bleeding or are experiencing life-threatening symptoms.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you should book an appointment with a dentist immediately.

If you are unsure about whether you are experiencing a dental emergency or whether you should go to A&E, you can call the NHS helpline 111. The telephone operator will be able to advise whether you need to see a dentist or go to A&E.

The staff at 111 will not be able to book a private emergency appointment, but once you have received the necessary advice, you will be able to book your emergency dental treatment to be seen as soon as possible.