What Counts as a Dental Emergency? When to Call an Emergency Dentist

Not every dental problem needs to be seen the same day, but some really can't wait. Knowing the difference can save a tooth, ease your pain sooner and stop a minor problem becoming a major one. Here's a simple guide from our team at ORION Dental & Implant Centre in Eastleigh.

Dental problems that need urgent attention

• Severe toothache that stops you sleeping or doesn't ease with painkillers.
• Swelling in your gum, face or jaw, which can be a sign of an abscess or infection.
• A knocked-out adult tooth. The sooner it's put back, the better the chance of saving it, ideally within an hour.
• A badly broken or cracked tooth, especially if it's painful or the nerve may be exposed.
• Bleeding that won't stop after an extraction or injury.
• Injury to your mouth or jaw from a fall, sport or an accident.

If you have any of these, call us on 023 8250 0500 and ask for an emergency dental appointment.

When to go to A&E instead

Go to A&E or call 999 if swelling affects your breathing or swallowing or is spreading towards your eye, if bleeding is heavy and won't stop, or if you've had a serious facial injury or may have broken your jaw.

Problems that can usually wait a day or two

• A lost filling with no pain
• A chipped tooth that isn't sore or sharp
• A loose crown that is still in place
• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold

These still need to be checked, so book a routine appointment soon to stop them getting worse.

What to do while you wait to be seen

• Toothache: rinse with warm salt water, floss gently to remove trapped food and take over-the-counter painkillers as directed on the packet. Never put aspirin directly on the gum. See our toothache tips for more.
• Knocked-out tooth: hold it by the crown, rinse it briefly if it's dirty and try to put it back in the socket. Otherwise, keep it in milk and come straight in.
• Broken tooth: keep any pieces, rinse your mouth and cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax.
• Lost crown: keep the crown safe and bring it with you. Don't try to glue it back yourself.

Emergency dentist in Eastleigh

ORION Dental & Implant Centre sees registered and new patients for urgent dental problems at our practice on Leigh Road, Eastleigh. We aim to see patients in pain the same day wherever possible. Emergency appointments are £58 for non-members and included for practice plan members.

Book an emergency appointment or call us on 023 8250 0500.