In normal surgery hours

If you have a dental emergency during our normal opening times, please call the surgery and we will try to fit you in with an emergency appointment.

Outside opening times

If you need urgent dental treatment outside our normal hours, please call the dental emergency service on 0300 111 5717. Alternatively NHS Direct can help you to find an emergency dental service.

If you are in pain

If you have pain without facial swelling you can purchase painkillers from any chemist. Always take the advice of the pharmacist and ensure to inform them of any current medication or medical conditions eg. asthma, stomach ulcers that you may have. Avoid hot/cold/hard foods as this may make the pain severe. Contact your dentist for treatment.

Swollen Face

This usually is a sign that there is infection or an abscess. Contact your dentist for treatment. However if the swelling is severe or you feel sick, have a temperature or the swelling is affecting your swallowing or breathing, you must attend your local casualty department urgently.

Loose or dislodged crown

If the crown is at the back of your mouth leave it out and keep in a safe place until you attend your dentist. If the crown is at the front of your mouth you can buy temporary cement from some chemists. Denture fixture can also hold the crown in place for a short period. It is not advisable to eat or sleep with the crown retained by these methods.

Mouth bleeding after an extraction

If the socket is bleeding heavily or persistently you need urgent attention. Apply pressure to the socket as mentioned above and attend the local casualty department.

Broken tooth

If the broken tooth is as a result of a fall and you are concerned about other injuries, go immediately to the hospital casualty department.

If the tooth is broken while eating or the result of a lost filling, some chemists have temporary filling pastes that can be placed in the broken tooth to reduce the pain and irritation. The tooth maybe sensitive to hot and cold. It may be sensible to avoid food/drinks that make the discomfort worse. Contact your dentist for an appointment.

Tooth is knocked out - Children

These teeth start coming out naturally at about age 6 or 7. If one is knocked out earlier by accident - leave it out. Do not try and put it back as this may damage the adult tooth growing underneath. The adult tooth will grow eventually. Give some Paracetamol mixture (Calpol©, Disprol©, etc) or ibuprofen if the injured gum is sore.

Tooth is knocked out - Adult

If a tooth is knocked out do not panic but act quickly. Follow these simple steps and you may save a smile.

Find the tooth - Hold the tooth by the crown (the part usually visible in the mouth) not by the root (the pointed end).

Do not scrub the tooth or place it in disinfectant.

If the tooth is clean - Hold it by the crown and gently push it back into it's socket, making sure that it is the right way round, This is usually painless if done immediately after the accident.

If the tooth is dirty - Rinse it in milk or cold water before gently pushing it back into place.

Hold the tooth in place - Ask the child to bite on a clean handkerchief.

Go to your dentist immediately - If this is not possible go to your hospital casualty department and ask to be seen by the dentist on duty.

If you cannot put the tooth back in.

Place it in a cup of milk.

Do not scrub the tooth.

Do not let the tooth become dry.

Do not place the tooth in disinfectant.

Go to your dentist immediately - If this is not possible go to your hospital casualty department and ask to be seen by the dentist on duty.

Why is it best put back straight away?

The cells at the root of the tooth will usually attach firmly back to the tooth socket if they do not die. These cells at the root of the tooth will soon dry out and die if the tooth is not put back quickly. If they die, the tooth will not attach again. The sooner a tooth is put back, the greater the chance of success.

What if the tooth cannot be put back in?

Put the tooth in a cup of milk or saline and see a dentist as soon as possible, taking the tooth with you. The tooth must be kept moist. Milk is the ideal liquid to put the tooth in. Do not put the tooth in water as plain water damages the delicate cells whereas milk or saline are much better at preserving the cells. If milk or saline are not available, put the tooth in the injured person's mouth between their cheek and the gum. If the tooth is kept moist with any of these methods until it is put back in its socket there is a greater chance of permanent recovery. It may still be successful up to 24 hours after the accident.

If you cannot see a dentist immediately after the accident, go to the local casualty (accident and emergency) department.