Dental emergencies can strike anyone at any time. While those who look after their teeth well with good quality brushing and flossing and dental appointments are less likely to experience this, problems can still be caused by accidents and injuries. None of us, therefore, are completely immune. When these problems arise, it is always important to seek attention as soon as possible. We will look at this in more detail shortly.
The reality is that many, but not all, dental emergencies also include significant pain. Despite the tooth being a relatively small part of us, the pain can be overwhelming. Some say that this is due to its location near to the brain but whatever the reason, anyone who has experienced a severe toothache will know just how bad they can be.
If you have been in a car accident or have suffered a head injury in any way, it is important that you attend your local A&E straight away even if you are mostly concerned with a tooth injury. You will need to be assessed for potential brain injury as a priority. You may be provided with pain medication if your tooth pain is severe but this will depend on the circumstances and concerns of your injury. Please do this before calling us for an emergency dental appointment.
When you have an oral pain issue, the best thing that you can do is to act quickly. We are aware that some patients, and especially those who are nervous about treatment, can be tempted to try to mask a toothache, especially if not too severe, by using painkillers. While there is nothing wrong in taking a painkiller until you can be treated, it is all too easy to ‘pretend’ that the problem no longer exists as they take effect. As with most dental issues, if you ignore it when you notice it and leave it for some time, the problem is nearly always going to worsen.
Not only is this likely to mean that the level of pain will increase but also that more extensive treatment might be needed than would have been the case if you had contacted us straight away. A small cavity, for example, can usually be treated with a small filling. Allowing the problem to develop will almost certainly mean a larger filling or crown will be required. In some cases, it may even be too late to save the tooth and an extraction may be necessary. Make sure that you act quickly so that we can address the problem as soon as possible.
Some people think that a dentist emergency is where a tooth is badly broken or you wake up with an excruciating toothache. The truth is that it is all of these things but any oral care issue should be investigated as promptly as possible.
Even if you have a mild throbbing in a tooth, you should contact the Clarence Dental Practice to make a prompt appointment. Our receptionists will be able to offer advice on pain management etc and may contact a dentist if they feel it necessary. They will also book you an appointment as soon as possible. Naturally, they will prioritise urgent cases as you would hope them to do if it was yourself that was in a great deal of pain. We also offer a same day emergency dentist service which has proved to be popular with our patients. Nobody likes to suffer a toothache any longer than they have to do. By taking advantage of this service, you can be seen on the same day that you call us for an appointment.
Even if you are not registered with our local practice, you can make use of the same day emergency service. There is a fee for this of course, but it does mean that if your own dentist can’t see you quickly enough, you have the option of receiving care the same day; a small price to pay if you are in significant pain or have a damaged tooth.
It is worth mentioning that if you do register with us, we also have practice plans that allow you to seek out of hours emergency care and also oral care around the world. Please talk to us if you feel that this would be of interest to you.
The bottom line is that most problems are either painful or there is a risk of a breakage, for example, worsening and threatening the tooth further. Prompt action is key and you should not ignore problems hoping that they will go away, because they almost always won’t.
For any dental issue, whether relatively mild or severe, please contact our Staines dentist straight away for further advice or to arrange an appointment. You can contact us by calling us today on 01784 463 695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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