Emergency Dentistry
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Susie Zhang, General Dentist at Starlight Dental. BDS (King’s College London).
Relief of pain
Toothache, swelling, or sensitivity that’s stopped you sleeping or eating is always worth same-day attention, pain is your body flagging a problem that’s rarely going to resolve on its own, and it’s usually treatable quickly once we know the cause.
Chipped or broken teeth
A chip can often be smoothed or repaired with bonding in a single visit; a more significant break may need a crown or, if the nerve is exposed, root canal treatment. Bring any broken piece with you if you have it.
Knocked-out teeth
Time matters most here, a tooth knocked out and reinserted within about 30 minutes has the best chance of survival. Handle it by the crown (not the root), rinse briefly in milk or saliva if it’s dirty (avoid tap water), and try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk on your way to us.
Gum infections
Swelling, bleeding, or a bad taste around a tooth or under a crown can signal an infection that needs treatment before it spreads, left alone, these rarely settle by themselves and can put the tooth or surrounding bone at risk.
FAQs
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Severe pain, swelling, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, or an infection, if you’re unsure, call us and we’ll tell you how urgent it is.
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Often yes, especially if it’s handled correctly and you’re seen within 30 minutes to an hour.
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Cold compress for swelling, over-the-counter pain relief as directed, and avoid chewing on the affected side.