Dental Emergency

At College Dental Surgeries, we have a number of emergency dental appointments every day. These are filled on a first come first served basis, so we would advise that you ring as early as possible should you have a problem, in order that we can try to fit you in for an appointment on the same day.

Should you have a dental emergency while the practice is closed, please still ring the practice on 01622 752340 and the answerphone will give you details of how to access emergency dental treatment.

Common Dental Emergencies

• Toothaches – these are the most common dental emergencies and are often caused by an infection in the tooth or gums or where decay has exposed the softer dentine. You will need to attend the dentist as they may need to drain the infection or fill the tooth. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water and use interdental cleaning aids to remove any food that may be trapped between your teeth as this can further exacerbate the problem. Take over the counter painkillers and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to help relieve the pain.
• Chipped or broken tooth or lost filling – Often caused by biting on something solid such as nuts or eating sticky foods such as toffees. The dentist will assess the tooth and decide on the best course of treatment, they may be able to replace the filling or else strengthen your tooth using a crown. In the worst case the tooth may need to be extracted in which case the dentist will be able to advise on the best treatment to replace the missing tooth.
• Knocked out tooth – This can be caused by a slip, trip, fall or other direct blow to the mouth. If possible replace the tooth into the socket, ensuring it is the right way around and seek immediate dental help. There is the greatest chance of saving the tooth if you can get to the dentist within an hour of the accident.