Is this a Dental Emergency? Your Questions Answered

Is this a Dental Emergency? Your Questions Answered

13-03-2024

A dental crisis can strike without warning. One minute you’re enjoying your day, the next, you accidentally damage or lose a tooth. Or, one day, you’re experiencing extreme dental pain and can’t eat, sleep, or do the things you need to. 

These things can be very distressing. You would usually need to book a dental appointment in advance. In fact, you might expect that you’ll need to wait at least a week or two to see your dentist. Thankfully, this isn’t always the case. 

At Kreate Dental, we can provide you with an emergency dental appointment if you’re in urgent need of our care. But what do we class as a dental emergency?

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the frequently asked questions about emergency dental care and discuss the steps you should take when faced with an urgent dental issue. 

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any sudden dental situation that requires immediate attention from the dentist. This could be the result of a physical trauma or an infection. 

The action we take during the appointment will depend on the emergency issue. Wherever possible, we’ll provide treatment during this appointment. Sometimes, we may recommend further appointments for additional procedures and treatments. 

What Type of Dental Problems Require an Emergency Appointment?

Several potential problems may need urgent attention from us. These include: 

• A damaged tooth with exposed nerve – This is likely to be very sensitive and will cause considerable pain
• Fractured, chipped, or cracked teeth – Sometimes rough edges could harm the inside of your cheeks or your tongue
• Tooth loss – If a tooth is knocked out and intact, we can sometimes put it back in place
• Severe toothaches – This is often a sign of infection
• Dental abscess – If a pocket of pus forms below a tooth, it could cause further problems without prompt treatment
• Damaged orthodontics,  bridges, crowns, or dentures – We may need to see you quickly if you have damaged a replacement tooth or an orthodontic appliance

If you have sustained an injury and are bleeding excessively from the mouth, it’s important to attend the accident and emergency unit at your nearest hospital. 

What Should I Do If I Lose a Tooth?

If a tooth falls out due to physical trauma and you still have it, we can sometimes replace it, provided it is in good condition, and the right steps are taken before the appointment. 

Call us immediately after losing a tooth and we’ll advise you how soon we can see you. 

The first thing you should do is clean the tooth. You can either use your own saliva to do this or run it under a tap being careful not to touch the root or drop it. Then rinse out your mouth to remove any debris. 

Sometimes, it’s possible to slide the tooth back into the hole it came out of. If you can do this, bite down on a piece of cloth to hold it in place. 

If that isn’t possible, place the tooth in a glass of milk and bring it with you to your appointment. This helps preserve the tooth and maintain the correct pH balance. 

What Should I Do If I Damage a Tooth? 

Often, a damaged tooth doesn’t warrant an emergency appointment. However, we would suggest calling us and arranging an appointment at the earliest convenient opportunity. Sometimes, though, the damage could cause problems. 

If you have sharp edges that could cut the inside of your mouth, we may need to see you sooner. Rinse your mouth with warm water until you can get to us. 

Applying a cold compress to the side of your face that hurts can reduce any discomfort if you’re in any pain. 

What Should I Do If I Have an Abscess?

An abscess forms around the bottom of your teeth when you have an infection. They are very painful and will ooze pus. You may experience fever symptoms and tenderness in the lymph nodes on your neck. Call us immediately, as we will need to treat it promptly. 

It may be tempting to try and reduce any symptoms with painkillers, numbing gels, or anti-inflammatories. We advise against doing this before your appointment.

Keep your mouth clean until your appointment. Avoid flossing around the area and use a soft toothbrush. Just before your appointment, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This helps bring the pus closer to the surface. 

Dental Emergencies in Dartford

A dental emergency can feel stressful, but we’ll do everything possible to see you quickly and tackle the problem. If you are concerned about a sudden change in your dental health, call us, and we’ll advise you on the best steps to take. 

Get in touch today to schedule your appointment.