Don’t Dial 999 For A Dental Emergency

Our Burton dentists will attempt to see emergency patients as quickly as possible

A recent news article mentioned that the 999 services are reporting an increase in the number of people calling them when they are in pain from a severe toothache. Whilst we fully acknowledge that these can be incredibly painful, this is not what this service is for.

An exception to this rule might be if any damage has been caused through facial or head trauma, and where there is reason to suspect that this might be serious, it may then be advisable to call the emergency services. This may be your best step if you are unable to get to your local A&E; for example if you are experiencing dizziness as well and should not drive. For general dental emergencies though, this is not the path that you should take.

General dental emergencies

Presuming that there are no serious head injuries, or you have attended the A&E and been given the all clear, your next step should be to call Mike Allen’s Dental Practice as soon as you can. Don’t put this off until later in the day as this decreases the chances of you being seen the same day. Ring up as early in the day as you can and explain to the receptionist, the nature of the problem. They will offer you an appointment as soon as possible and may also offer advice to keep you as comfortable as possible until your appointment.

Medication

Most people will have some common painkillers around; paracetamol perhaps being the most common. Where suitable, these can help to relieve any pain and also help to reduce swelling if any is present.

Where the toothache is very severe though, over the counter medication may only offer a moderate amount of relief. Once you have arranged your appointment, and especially if it is later on in the day, it may be advisable to go to your local pharmacist who may be able to offer something more effective. Please note that you should take care not to take too much painkiller even if your pain is severe; paracetamol overdoses can cause serious liver damage so do read the recommended dosage on the packet and also ask the advice of your pharmacist.

Prevention

Whilst nobody can anticipate tooth damage caused by an accident, the reality is that much toothache still stems from tooth decay and issues like root canal infections. In many of these cases, the problem may well have been preventable with better personal care. In addition to regular oral checks at our Burton dental clinic, we also recommend that patients see the hygienist on a similar basis. Not only will they give your teeth a thorough clean, but it also provides a great opportunity to learn more about your oral health and to look at ways of improving your home care regimen, helping to prevent dental emergencies in the first place.

One of our key roles is to keep our Burton patients pain-free and we will always do our very best to treat you as soon as possible in these situations. Both general and emergency dental appointments can be made by calling Mike Allen’s Dental Practice on 01283 845345. Our team are on hand and will assist you.