Should I Book an Emergency Dental Appointment?

At one time or another, we will find ourselves with some type of pain or discomfort in our mouth, whether that be from our teeth, tongue or gums.

In order to prevent the issue from becoming worse, it’s crucial that you see a dentist as soon as possible who can provide you with treatment or advice to treat the dental problem at home.

Fortunately, an emergency dentist can see you at short notice, including same-day or even out of hours, depending on the nature of your emergency.

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

You may think a dental emergency relates to a chipped tooth, however, it generally applies to when a dental problem is causing you bleeding or pain, or when you’re at a high risk of tooth loss.

This means that you should book an emergency dentist appointment if you notice:

• Swelling of the gums, cheek or face (this is even more of an emergency if this swelling is spreading)
• A broken tooth that is causing pain or discomfort to your inner cheek or tongue
• Tooth loss caused by trauma
• Bleeding caused by trauma
• Bleeding after having a tooth extraction that lasts longer than 20 minutes
• Excruciating pain (especially if this is causing problems with sleep or day to day activities)
• Mouth ulcers that haven’t healed after two weeks
• Are experiencing pain that becomes worse

When Shouldn’t I Visit an Emergency Dentist?

There are some occasions when visiting an emergency dentist isn’t necessary. In these cases, you can visit your usual dentist without urgency.

Some examples of non-emergency dental problems include:

• A broken or chipped tooth
• Sensitive teeth
• Sensitive gums
• Bleeding gums
• Slight pain when biting down
• A minor toothache that comes and goes
• Mouth ulcers that have been present for less than a week
• Pain or discomfort from orthodontics or dentures

While we always advise you to call your dentist if you notice any change, pain or discomfort, it is worth knowing when you should visit accident and emergency instead.

You should visit A&E or call NHS 111 if you have:

• Swelling in the face that affects your breathing, vision or ability to swallow
• Trauma that has led to problems with consciousness, vision or vomiting
• Uncontrollable bleeding from your mouth

Please note that dental emergencies cannot be dealt with by your GP, so we advise against calling them unless we say otherwise. To be on the safe side, you may wish to call us to check what course of action is best for you.

How to Get an Emergency Dentist Appointment

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you should contact us immediately by calling 020 8648 2600 to book an immediate appointment with us. We can also advise you on the plan of action and whether it is more appropriate for you to take over the counter medication or visit A&E, depending on your circumstances.

Our emergency appointments start from £80 and we guarantee to provide quick and affordable emergency dental treatment for you.

Emergency Dentist in South London

At St Helier Dental Surgery, any emergency dental case is handled immediately and we aim to see you as soon as possible. We offer emergency dental appointments, as well as evening and weekend appointments if you are looking for out of working hours dental care.

If you are looking for emergency dental treatment, contact us at St Helier Dental Surgery to book an appointment, today. For more information, please contact us Today.