Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can arise unexpectedly, causing significant discomfort, pain, and disruption to daily life, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and knowing how to respond to such situations. Whether it's a toothache, a broken tooth, or a lost filling, understanding what constitutes a dental emergency and how to handle it is crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing further complications.

Dental Emergencies Didcot, Oxfordshire

A dental emergency is any sudden pain or injury affecting the mouth, teeth, or gums.

If you experience any of the following and cannot see us the same day, call NHS 111 immediately:

Uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction
Rapidly spreading swelling around the throat or eye
Trauma limited to the dental arches

If you have any of these problems, please contact us to arrange an emergency appointment:

Severe facial or dental pain that over‑the‑counter medicines do not relieve
Acute soft‑tissue or dental infections, such as an abscess

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies as a dental emergency, reach out to our receptionist for guidance. We’re here to help.

Emergency Dental Appointment Policy

At Busby House Dental Centre, our priority during a dental emergency is to see you within 24 hours of your initial call. The sooner you contact us, the faster we can assist you, as same-day appointments tend to fill quickly.

If you need support outside our regular office hours, we recommend reaching out to NHS 111 for guidance and treatment options. This service is available 24/7 and can help locate emergency dental care in your area.

For patients not registered at our practice, we will strive to accommodate urgent appointments. However, due to high demand, we cannot always guarantee a same-day booking. Please note that emergency appointments may carry a fee for non-registered individuals.

We understand the stress of dental emergencies and are committed to providing timely, compassionate care. Don’t hesitate to call us during business hours or follow the above guidance after hours.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

If you’re experiencing dental pain or another urgent issue, you might be wondering whether you qualify for emergency care to identify and address the problem. A dental emergency differs from a medical emergency—which typically requires immediate life-saving intervention—yet dental crises often warrant equally swift attention. Many situations fall under this category, including:

Persistent or Severe Toothache – A sudden, intense ache or ongoing discomfort often signals a problem such as an infection, cracked tooth, or exposed nerve. Urgent dental care can swiftly investigate and relieve your symptoms.

Uncontrolled Bleeding in the Mouth – Whether from an injury, surgery, or gum trauma, continuous or excessive bleeding demands immediate dental care to prevent complications.

Traumatically Knocked-Out Tooth – Prompt action is crucial to preserving a dislodged tooth. If you’ve lost a tooth due to an accident, an emergency appointment at a dental clinic may increase the chances of successfully reattaching it, especially if treated within hours.

Mouth Infections or Abscesses – A serious oral infection, such as a spreading abscess, can become medically concerning and even life-threatening. Symptoms like swelling of the face, jaw lumps, or fever require emergency attention to prevent further spread.

Determining What Constitutes a Non-Emergency Dental Situation

When assessing whether you require immediate dental attention, it is essential to distinguish between situations that necessitate urgent care and those that can be managed through a routine appointment. To make an informed decision, consider the following scenarios.

A cracked or chipped tooth, for instance, is not typically deemed a dental emergency unless it results in sharp fragments remaining in your mouth or causes severe pain. In such cases, it is crucial to seek immediate attention to prevent further complications. However, if the damage is minor and does not cause significant discomfort, you can usually wait for a scheduled appointment.

Similarly, a toothache that is manageable and not severe can often be addressed during a regular dental visit. If you are able to tolerate the discomfort and do not require immediate relief, it may not be necessary to arrange an emergency appointment. Nevertheless, it is always best to consult with your dentist to determine the most suitable course of action.

Additionally, a missing crown or filling, although inconvenient, is generally not classified as a dental emergency. That being said, your dentist may still treat the situation as a priority and offer an appointment sooner than usual.

If, after evaluating your situation, you conclude that it is not an emergency, it is still advisable to contact your dentist. They may be able to accommodate an ad hoc appointment, potentially enabling you to receive treatment more promptly than anticipated. By reaching out to your dentist, you can ensure that you receive the appropriate guidance and care for your specific needs.

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Please note that our phone lines are answered from 9 am

Dental Emergency FAQs

How do I care for a dental emergency?

Aside from being painful, dental emergencies can feel frustrating. While you are waiting for your appointment, it is essential to understand how to best care for 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.

Chipped or Cracked Tooth

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.

Abscessed Tooth

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.

Knocked-Out Tooth

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.

How do I get an emergency dentist appointment?

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.

What to expect from an emergency dentist appointment?

Depending 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 can 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 several 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.

Do I have to pay for an emergency dental appointment?

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.

Should I go to A&E for a dental emergency?

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.

Can I call 111 for emergency dental treatment?

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.

HAVE YOU GOT A DENTAL EMERGENCY?

Sometimes unexpected events, pain or trauma can mean that it is urgent
that you see a dentist as soon as possible.

01235 816486 | Didcot

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Dental Emergencies