If you’re nervous about your emergency dental appointment, we’re here to help. We understand that it can be daunting to visit a dentist for the first time, and even more so when you’re visiting due to an emergency. To help you to manage your nerves and feel more in control, we’ve put together this short guide.
An emergency dental appointment might be very different to the routine checkups that you are accustomed to, but we can help to make the process stress-free and relaxed. The goal of the emergency appointment is to quickly tackle your dental pain and prevent further damage. So let’s look a little closer at what that might entail…
Emergency dental checkups explained
Emergency dental appointments are essential to help patients to manage unexpected dental issues, such as toothache, facial injuries and complications following dental procedures.
Emergency appointments might include a same-day consultation to help prevent further damage and also to put a stop to pain and discomfort.
Treatment doesn’t always happen on the same day, particularly if the treatment is more complex. You might be given temporary treatment to stop the pain and prevent further damage and then be invited to book a follow-up appointment at a time that is convenient for you.
What happens during an emergency dental appointment?
The appointment may be shorter than a typical checkup, as the focus will be on the cause of the emergency, not your wider oral health.
We’ll start with a visual inspection of your mouth and gums. We’ll ask questions about the issue, such as when it started and what symptoms you have been experiencing.
We might take X-rays if required, as this will provide a more complete picture of your mouth and jaw structures. It can also help to reveal hidden damage.
Finally, we come up with a treatment plan to help with your immediate concerns and then create a follow-up treatment plan. If you’re not registered with us as a patient, you’ll be able to return to your usual dentist for treatment, or you can complete your treatment with us by registering as a patient.
Will my emergency dental appointment hurt?
The goal will always be to bring pain under control and deliver treatment that will stop the pain. If you’re already in pain due to your dental emergency, then the best course of action is to see a dentist to help put things right.
If you do require treatment, we’ll make sure that the area is completely numb before we start. It’s also common to prescribe antibiotics to treat an active infection before we start treatment, as it’s much easier to control pain when the inflammation has subsided.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Any situation where you are in pain or unable to concentrate on everyday tasks due to dental pain would be considered a dental emergency. Some common symptoms that would be considered a dental emergency include:
- Sudden and severe pain
- Swelling in your gum, cheek or neck
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Complications following oral surgery
- Lost or broken crowns, veneers or bridges
- Broken brace brackets and wires
- Knocked out or displaced teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Trauma to the jaw
If you’re struggling with any of these symptoms, you may need to visit an emergency dentist. We are proud to offer same-day appointments to patients in need, even if they aren’t registered with us.
How do I secure an emergency appointment?
Appointments are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so you’ll need to call the practice as early as possible to secure your spot. For out of hours emergencies, call 111 to find out what you should do.