Do I need an emergency dentist?

Dental emergencies don’t keep regular office hours: they can happen at any time of the day or night, and you will want to see a dentist as soon as possible. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we appreciate the urgency of a dental emergency and understand how traumatic it can be. We are open six days a week, and have an emergency service line so that you can get in touch as soon as an emergency situation arises. We will do everything we can to accommodate you and see you as soon as possible.

What constitutes a dental emergency?

emergency dentistDental emergencies range from sudden, unbearable toothache to accidents and injuries resulting in lost or broken teeth. You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you experience any of the following conditions. Remember, at Harley Street Dental Clinic we always endeavour to see you as quickly as possible.

Knocked out tooth

Teeth can be knocked out by accidents including trips and falls, road traffic accidents and blows to the mouth and face, as well as injuries sustained playing sports (which is why at Harley Street Dental Clinic we always advise sportspeople to wear a mouth guard when playing or training – your dentist can make you a mouthguard that fits your teeth exactly for maximum comfort and safety).

If you do lose a tooth, your dentist may be able to reinsert it back into the socket, so long as it hasn’t been damaged. You should keep the knocked out tooth clean and should only pick it up by the crown (the part of the tooth that is visible in your mouth) – avoid handling the root.

Chipped or broken teeth

Teeth can also be chipped or broken by accidents and injuries, and again you should see your dentist as soon as possible, even for small chips.

At our Harley Street practice our dentists can restore broken teeth using composite bonding – rebuilding your tooth with tooth-coloured filling material – and can also restore mildly chipped front teeth using veneers, made from porcelain, ceramic or composite material.

Tooth ache and dental abscesses

Tooth ache can quickly become unbearable. At Harley Street Dental Clinic your dentist will never leave a patient in pain; at your emergency dental appointment your dentist’s primary concern will be to diagnose the cause of your tooth ache and get you out of pain. You may require further appointments to treat the underlying cause of your tooth ache.

DIY Remedies Before Receiving Professional Emergency Dental Care

Unhealthy gums and teeth can hurt any given time unexpectedly. In some cases, a slight ache can rapidly advance into an unbearable pain, and the swelling into a full-scale infection. Healthy gums and teeth are not spared from this fate, as accidents can occur any time.

emergency dental careUnderstanding that sudden dental problems require immediate attention, Harley Street Dental Clinic offers 24-hour emergency care to address these problems immediately. In case it takes you a while to reach our clinic and you seek temporary relief, we suggest you do the following:

To reduce pain

In many cases, pain in the gums and the teeth are so severe that mere analgesics no longer have an effect. For effective relief, we recommend cold compress. This should numb the affected area and help alleviate a great share of the pain. You may use an ice pack, or a washcloth stuffed with ice cubes as an alternate option.

To relieve swelling

The problem with swelling is that the affected area can easily get infected after coming in contact with bacteria. To reduce some of the swelling and relieve any feeling of tightness, we advise you to apply a hot compress. To prevent bacteria from causing further infection, we recommend rinsing the mouth with warm water and salt.

To reduce bleeding

You have always been taught that to stop profuse bleeding, one must apply pressure on the wound. For bleeding teeth and gums, the same principle applies. A simple knocked out tooth or a small lesion in the gums can cause continuous bleeding, requiring you to take immediate action. Remember to wash the affected area with clean and warm water to prevent any bacteria from coming in contact with the wound and causing an infection. We advise against application of topical antibiotic, as this may worsen the condition.

For your convenience, Harley Street Dental Clinic is open six days a week, offering services from dental hygiene to oral surgery. Whether you have encountered an unfortunate accident, or your gingivitis has suddenly been aggravated, we suggest you visit our clinic immediately for treatment.