Dental emergencies
If in doubt,
ring us.
We would far rather you called and it turned out to be nothing than sat at home in pain wondering whether you were making a fuss.
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Any dental problem that needs urgent attention, most often severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or a tooth that has been knocked out or broken.
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Something we keep time aside for, every single day, so that we can see people quickly rather than adding them to a waiting list.
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Not something you need to be a registered patient for. If you are in pain and you are local, call us.
If you have facial swelling, difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing, go to A&E rather than waiting for us.
Severe pain — that painkillers are not touching
Swelling — of the gum, face or jaw
A knocked-out tooth — keep it, and ring us immediately
Bleeding — that will not stop after an injury
Why it matters
Waiting makes
it worse.
Dental problems do not settle down on their own. They get bigger, they get more painful, and they get more expensive to put right.
Ring us. We will fit you in.
Pain that stops is not always good news
An abscess can stop hurting when the nerve inside the tooth dies. The infection has not gone anywhere. It is still spreading, quietly, and it still needs treating.
A knocked-out tooth is a race
If an adult tooth is knocked out, it can often be put back, but the window is short. Keep it in milk or your own saliva, do not scrub it, and ring us straight away.
Infection does not stay in the tooth
Dental infections can spread into the face and neck, and occasionally become serious. Swelling that is spreading, or trouble swallowing, means A&E, not us.
Today is cheaper than next month
Almost every dental emergency was a small, fixable problem once. The longer it is left, the more of the tooth we lose, and the more the treatment costs.
How it works
What happens when you call.
From the phone call to walking out comfortable.
You ring us
Tell us what has happened and how bad it is. We will give you advice over the phone straight away, and find you the earliest slot we have.
We stop the pain
Getting you comfortable comes before anything else. Whatever is causing it, our first job is to take the pain away.
We work out what happened
Once you are comfortable, we can look properly. An x-ray if we need one, then a clear explanation of what is going on.
We sort it, or plan it
Sometimes we can fix it there and then. Sometimes we settle it down today and book you back to do the job properly.
How it works
What happens when you call.
From the phone call to walking out comfortable.
Step 01You ring us
Tell us what has happened and how bad it is. We will give you advice over the phone straight away, and find you the earliest slot we have.
Step 02We stop the pain
Getting you comfortable comes before anything else. Whatever is causing it, our first job is to take the pain away.
Step 03We work out what happened
Once you are comfortable, we can look properly. An x-ray if we need one, then a clear explanation of what is going on.
Step 04We sort it, or plan it
Sometimes we can fix it there and then. Sometimes we settle it down today and book you back to do the job properly.
How urgent is it
How soon do
you need us?
Some things genuinely cannot wait. Others will keep for a few days. Here is where we would honestly draw the line.
Straight away
Pick up the phone. These will not settle on their own, and every hour makes them harder to put right.
- Swelling in the face, jaw or gum
- A knocked-out adult tooth
- Pain that painkillers will not touch
- Bleeding that will not stop
Tap to see more
Same day if we can
Not a middle-of-the-night emergency, but it should not wait until next week either. Ring and we will fit you in.
- A broken tooth that is sharp or sore
- A lost filling or crown that hurts
- A dull ache that keeps coming back
- A gum boil, or a bad taste
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Book as normal
Still worth sorting, but you do not need to panic and you do not need to ring us at nine on a Sunday.
- A chip with no pain at all
- A crown that came off painlessly
- A tooth that twinges with cold
- Gums that bleed a little when brushing
Tap to see more
Spreading swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing? That is A&E, not a dentist.
Call 01384 895 213Good to know
Emergency questions.
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We keep slots free daily
In pain?
Ring us.
You do not need to be registered, and you do not need to suffer through the weekend. Pick up the phone and we will sort it.