Do You Know What to Do In a Dental Emergency?

We know dental emergencies can be upsetting and painful which is why we always try to see patients who are in pain on the same day. We want to make sure you get a quick diagnosis and emergency treatment to relieve discomfort as soon as possible. However we realise that it might not be possible of everyone to get to see us immediately, so what should you do in the meantime?

Coping with Toothache

Toothache can definitely require same day treatment, particularly if it is due to an infection or a dental abscess. You will need emergency dental care if you have a fever or facial swelling that could indicate a severe dental abscess. It is important not to ignore these symptoms as the infection could spread and may affect your general health.

Otherwise, until you can get in to see our emergency dentist in South Benfleet, it is worth trying to just gently floss around the tooth as sometimes a piece of impacted food can be enough to push a tooth painfully out of place. You can use over-the-counter painkillers to help control the pain but please don’t try placing aspirin on your gums as you could burn them.

Dealing with a Knocked Out Tooth

If you have a tooth that has been knocked out then you need to see an emergency dentist in South Benfleet as soon as you can. Sometimes it is possible to successfully reinsert teeth that have been knocked out, but generally this is only okay within the first half an hour to an hour after the accident.

If you do have a tooth that has been knocked out then handle it by the crown which is the part you can normally see in your mouth and rinse off any dirt. You can then try to re-implant it yourself, making sure you insert it the right way round. Hold it in place with a clean tissue or a clean finger until you can come and see us. If you can’t face doing this, store the tooth in a small container with a little milk or water and come to see us straightaway.

Chipped or Cracked Teeth

Teeth that are chipped or cracked will need to be mended as soon as possible. Otherwise bacteria in the mouth can get into the tooth and will cause infection and decay. We can often mend damaged teeth quite quickly, restoring your smile to its former glory. If you have lost a filling then it’s also important to get this replaced as soon as you can.

Sometimes dental crowns can fall out and if this is the case then please don’t try to glue it back in place, but instead come and see us so we can clean the crown and re-cement it using the proper dental materials that will not harm your tooth or the crown.

When you contact Together Dental South Benfleet to find out more about booking an emergency appointment, you will find our friendly dental team can give you a lot of advice on how to cope with your particular problem until you can get into see us. You can contact us on 01268 793485 and you can find out more about all our services, including emergency dental care.

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