Dental Emergencies: What to Do When Every Second Counts
01.10.2024
It can be difficult to know what to do when facing a dental emergency. It’s also very difficult to prepare for the unexpected. The first thing to remember when facing a dental emergency is that help is available. Day or night, all through the year, emergency dentists are available to help those in need.
Whether you’re facing a knocked out tooth, a tooth that won’t stop bleeding, or you’re in so much pain it’s keeping you awake, there is always somewhere to turn.
If you are registered with a dentist, your first instinct may be to turn to them for help. This could cause you to delay treatment while you wait for their office hours to resume.
You don’t have to do this, and you can seek emergency treatment any time of the day or night. Read on to learn our tips for handling a dental emergency when every second counts.
What counts as a time-sensitive dental emergency?
There are some dental emergencies that are more urgent than others. For example, if you have knocked out a tooth, there is a chance to save this if you visit a dentist quickly. However, if you leave it too long, the socket will close and you’ll have to think about tooth replacement options.
Another example of a time sensitive dental emergency would be a badly infected tooth. If your cheek or neck has started swelling, this is a sign that you have a severe infection and you shouldn’t delay treatment any longer.
Finally, bleeding from your gums, tongue or cheek is another thing that you shouldn’t ignore. The most common cause of dental bleeding would be following a tooth extraction. If the bleeding will not stop, you’ll need to seek out treatment.
First steps in a dental emergency
There are a few options available to you if you are facing a dental emergency. The time of day and whether the emergency occurs on a public holiday will have a big impact on where you turn for support.
If the emergency occurs during the day, you should call your usual dentist for advice and support. They will be able to triage the situation over the phone and let you know if you need to visit the dentist immediately, or if you can visit another facility.
A common issue that patients face is when they ignore a problem during the day because it doesn’t feel as urgent, but once night falls it suddenly becomes an emergency. If you have a dental emergency at night time, call your usual dentist and follow the instructions on their answering machine message.
They might recommend calling an out of hours dentist, or calling 111, or visiting your local A&E department.
Should I go to A&E with a dental emergency?
You should only visit your A&E department if you are facing a life threatening emergency. It can be difficult to know if your situation is life threatening without expert knowledge of what is going on. If you are struggling to breathe as a result of your dental emergency, go straight to A&E.
If you aren’t sure, you can call the NHS 111 hotline beforehand to confirm if your situation requires immediate assistance. Sometimes, the dental problem is secondary to a more serious issue that needs to be addressed first. An example of this would be if you have hit your head and knocked out a tooth at the same time. The knock on the head would also warrant a trip to A&E.
How can I handle a dental emergency at home?
If you are not in any danger and your dental emergency is not time-sensitive, you may be able to make yourself more comfortable at home. Popular home remedies include things like clove oil or pain relief gel for painful gums.
For toothache, try using a cold compress on the affected side to alleviate your pain. Avoid using a hot compress, as this can increase inflammation and make the area more painful.
You can also use over the counter pain medication like ibuprofen or paracetamol to control your pain. Keeping your head elevated while you are sleeping will also help to control your pain.
If you have a bleeding socket following a tooth extraction, use the wadding from your dentist to apply gentle pressure to the area by biting down. This should help to stop the bleeding.
Final thoughts on dental emergencies
It can be very daunting to face a dental emergency that is time-sensitive. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available to you. The first step is to remain calm and call your usual dentist; they will be able to advise you on the next steps.
If you are facing a life-threatening emergency, go straight to A&E. And if you aren’t sure, you can call the NHS 111 helpline to confirm your next steps.