Emergencies

An avulsed tooth is a tooth that has been knocked out of its socket, this means it is either totally out and lying on the floor, or is hanging in the mouth by the nerve, or thinly attached piece of tissue. If the tooth is still in place, but loose or dislodged then this is not totally avulsed and the treatment is slightly different. It is also worth noting that the information below is for an adult tooth, children’s teeth (deciduous) teeth are often knocked out much more easily but the implications are far less severe as they will have their adult teeth underneath. We’d still recommend visiting a dentist, but it’s not normally an emergency and applying pressure to the bleeding socket will normally be sufficient along with some pain killers, which are appropriate for the child.

If the tooth is in one piece, pick it up by the crown, avoiding the root as this can easily be damaged. Make sure it is oriented the correct way round, then try to place it back in to the patient’s mouth in the correct place. This is often difficult due to bleeding, swelling or other facial injuries… but it is the ideal option.

Once the tooth is back in place, make a pad of gauze and ask the patient to gently bite together, this will keep the tooth in place. You now need to get to a dentist straightaway for treatment.

If the tooth can’t be replanted then you have 2 options:

Keep the tooth in your mouth and store it between your teeth and cheek, this is the best place as it is bathed in the patient’s own saliva. Place it in a cup of milk for transport, then make an appointment with an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Please don’t try to clean the tooth with antiseptic or other cleansing agents as this can damage the tooth making future implanting by us impossible.

To control any bleeding simply place a pad of gauze over the socket and ask the patient to bite down on it. You will need to keep this in position for around 10 minutes in order to allow the blood to clot and the bleeding to stop.Once the bleeding is controlled you can replant the tooth if the swelling and other possible facial injuries allow.

The first thing to assess is the tooth itself. If it is shattered then replacing it will be difficult. However if it is in one piece it is often possible to replace it. If the tooth has shattered, then try to gather together all the pieces together and keep them in water to prevent them drying out. Then call us for an emergency appointment. We may be able to replant the tooth, but in worst case scenario, the pieces can be used to help us as a guide when making a replacement tooth for you.

Severe tooth pain or a toothache that does not subside could become an emergency. This could be a sign of an underlying dental problem such as a cavity or an abscessed tooth, which may require immediate attention to alleviate the pain and prevent further complications. Another dental issue that may require emergency treatment is a dental injury, such as a knocked-out tooth or a broken tooth. These types of injuries can be painful and may require immediate intervention to save the tooth and prevent infection. Additionally, severe bleeding from the mouth or gums, as well as swelling or infection in the mouth, are also considered dental emergencies that should be treated promptly.

With the use of local anaesthetic patients experience little to no pain during dental procedures. Our dentist will administer the local anaesthetic using a small needle, which may cause a brief sting or pinch. However, most patients find this to be tolerable and worth it for the pain relief it provides.

Yes, you can receive emergency dental treatment with us even if you are not registered with our practice. We understand that dental emergencies can occur at any time and it is important to provide immediate care to alleviate pain and address any urgent dental issues.