Dental Emergency in Kensal Rise

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that causes you persistent pain to your mouth, teeth and gums. If you are suffering with bleeding or swelling this is also considered a dental emergency. Common dental emergencies that we see in patients within the Kensal Rise and Queen’s Park area include:

• Relentless pain or toothache
• Cracked, chipped, loose or knocked-out tooth
• Swelling in the gum, neck, jaw, tongue or cheek
• A lost filling or crown which gives pain or sensitivity
• Wisdom tooth pain
• Continued bleeding following a dental procedure

If you are unsure if you have a dental emergency, call our friendly team on 020 8969 4020 who can advise you.

How to deal with a dental emergency in Queen’s Park

A dental emergency is a distressing experience. You should book to see the emergency dentist as soon as you can. Here are some tips to deal with common dental emergencies whilst you wait:

Severe toothache

Relentless toothache can be agonising, affecting your concentration and sleep. Take paracetamol for the pain and avoid eating or drinking anything that is hot or cold. Rinsing your mouth in salty water can help alleviate the pain as can a cold ice pack on the side of your face. If you have swelling or a fever with your toothache, you should not delay in seeking an appointment with the emergency dentist and mention this to a member of the reception team.

Knocked-out-tooth

This dental emergency is time critical so don’t delay in calling us – your dentist may be able to re-insert the tooth depending on the nature of the injury and if it isn’t left too late. Carefully handle the knocked-out-tooth only touching it by the crown and avoiding the roots. Gently rinse the tooth if it is dirty but do not over-handle it or wash it. Whilst you wait to see the emergency dentist, either re-insert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place or keep the tooth in your mouth or place the tooth in milk.

Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums which is caused by an infection. You may experience swelling to the face or gums, pain in the tooth which spreads to the ear, jaw or neck. You may experience sensitivity to the tooth and a fever or feel generally unwell. Whilst you wait to see the emergency dentist, you should take paracetamol for the pain and try rinsing your mouth in warm salty water. Avoid hot or cold food and drinks and over-brushing of the affected area.

What happens at an emergency dental appointment?

This will depend upon the nature of your dental emergency, but our priority will always be to eliminate any pain that you are experiencing.

You may need an urgent procedure carried out on the day, but rest assured, that any treatment will relieve you of the pain you are experiencing rather than adding to it. We may give you antibiotics or painkillers to help you manage your pain at home.
 
At your emergency dental appointment, we may take x-rays or scans which will help our team understand what is happening below your gums, in your jaw or your facial bones.

For less traumatic or time sensitive dental emergencies, such as a cracked tooth, we may make a minor repair or conduct temporary work before booking you in for a follow up appointment for more comprehensive treatment.