Emergency Dentistry

When you experience a dental emergency, Hutton Village Dental Practice is there for you. Whether you need reassurance, instructions on what to do in a given situation, or advice on when to go to the hospital, you can count on us.

CALL US NOW

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Acting quickly is the best way to avoid long-term dental damage.

Call us right away when you experience a dental emergency. We’ll try to get you into the practice immediately, and if that’s not possible we’ll refer you to another qualified dentist or to the hospital, depending on your emergency. While we’re on the phone, please provide us with all the details of the event and the extent of the damage, so we can advise you on what to do. If there is blood, gently rinse the mouth with water. If there is swelling, use a cold compress or ice pack against the side of the face. The most important thing is not to panic. Do your best to stay calm, breathe, and follow our instructions. We’ll help you get through the emergency.

What's Considered a Dental Emergency

If you’ve never experienced a dental emergency, you may not know the difference between a dental emergency that needs treatment now and a dental event that requires treatment at our office in the near future.

Dental emergencies are oral health problems that require immediate treatment to save a tooth, stop tissue bleeding, or alleviate severe pain.

Common Dental Emergencies

With early intervention, many common dental emergencies can be fixed. Quick treatment helps relieve pain and increases the chance of saving your tooth. The following is a list of common dental emergencies and what you can do about them.

Toothache

Take over-the-counter medication to alleviate pain but do not put the pills directly on your sore tooth. You can use an ice pack against your face over the location of your sore tooth. Avoid heat as this will make the toothache feel worse. For cleaning, rinse your mouth with warm water.

Lost filling/Chipped/Broken Tooth

Chips are generally not considered a dental emergency but it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to assess the break, plan a solution and prevent further damage. Following an assessment we may be able to fix and restore the tooth at that time.

If the break in the tooth is larger we may need to book an appointment to plan further treatment, and we can provide a temporary solution if appropriate. For small breaks, we can use a white/composite filling to repair the damage. Larger breaks may warrant a root canal treatment or a crown to repair the tooth. If a tooth is cracked, rinse the mouth with warm water and use cold compresses against the face if there is any swelling.

When a filling comes out, you may need to protect the area until you can get into the practice. For a very temporary fix, local pharmacies often have temporary filling kits.

Knocked Out Tooth

When a permanent tooth comes out, there is a very small window to reinsert it. It is important if at all possible, to contact and attend the practice within the first two hours (as soon as possible) to put the tooth back in and improve its chances. If a tooth is out longer than two hours, the tooth has a poor prognosis.

If a tooth comes out, there are some things you can do. If the tooth is clean, you can place it back in the socket and gently hold it there until you see us. If there is risk of swallowing the tooth, or it’s not possible to put it back in, put the tooth in a container of milk and come see us immediately. Do not touch the root of the tooth or remove any tissue.

Lost Filling

When a filling comes out, you need to protect the area until you can get into our office. For a very temporary fix, place a piece of sugarless chewing gum over the area for protection. It’s best that you see us as soon as possible, so we can replace the filling and prevent further damage to the tooth.

Badly Bitten Lip or Tongue

If a bite causes bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a clean cloth to slow it down. Clean the wound gently with water and use an ice pack to address any swelling. If the bleeding continues, please contact the practice to receive further advice from one of our dentists.

If You Think You're Having a Dental Emergency Ask These Questions

  • Are you bleeding from the mouth?
  • Do you have any loose teeth or has a tooth been knocked out?
  • Is the pain severe? Do you need more than over-the-counter medication to relieve the pain?
  • Have you been hit in the face or mouth?
  • Is there swelling in the face or mouth?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, you’re likely experiencing a dental emergency. In which case, call us on 01277 245390 and tell us what happened. We will walk you through the next steps in your given situation.

Dental Emergencies for Baby Teeth

Even though primary teeth fall out eventually anyway, we still need to see the patient if a baby tooth comes loose or falls out from a dental emergency. Depending on the circumstance, we may need to take X-rays to see whether there is nerve damage or impact to the underlying permanent teeth.

How to Avoid a Dental Emergency

  • Have regular check-ups with us, ensuring your teeth and gums are healthy and strong
  • Don't ignore dental pain, see us for issues early to avoid having problems become more severe
  • Wear a mouthguard during sports and recreational activities
  • Avoid chewing on food and other items that can crack a tooth, such as ice or popcorn kernels
  • Never use your teeth as tools to open packaging or cut something

Book Your Dental Treatment at Hutton Village Dental Practice

With so many services found in our practice, we’re confident that we can help you achieve the healthy smile you deserve. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our different dental procedures and how they can benefit you.
CALL US NOW