Accidents and emergencies can make for extremely stressful situations so it is important to be well versed on how to react in a dental emergency in order to make the best of a nasty situation.

During any dental emergency, your dentist in Buckinghamshire will do their utmost to ensure that you are seen as quickly as possible. Same day appointments are reserved for those patients who have chipped, broken or knocked out a tooth as the sooner they see a professional, the greater the chances are for re-implantation or for saving the tooth.

Emergencies are not only due to accidents however. People who awake to terrible tooth pain caused by infection or an abscess are also encouraged to contact their emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire. If you have ever had a toothache, you know as well as us how desperate the patient is to find relief.

When you come in to visit your dentist in Buckinghamshire, there are a few steps that we will generally cover. Of course this depends on what the complaint is, however most emergency dental situations will need the following to be observed.

Firstly, we will thoroughly examine the injured area, provide pain relief should it be needed and take you for x-rays in order to determine the extent of the damage. Unfortunately, after a fall or a sporting injury, it is not uncommon for there to be underlying damage that can go unnoticed just by externally examining the area.

We will then thoroughly clean and disinfect the site, greatly reducing your risk of infection. Should you have an infection or abscess that is causing you pain, we will drain the site and clean it before prescribing you something to rid the infection.

Damaged teeth will be temporarily fixed so that you can enjoy some form of normal function whilst we organise a more permanent solution. Depending on the case, we may be able to permanently find a solution for you during this emergency appointment.

If you have knocked out a tooth and it is unable to be saved, or a broken or damaged tooth needs to be extracted, we will discuss with you your options regarding a dental implant.

How can I save a knocked out tooth?

Time is of the essence in these situations, with professional help being sought out within the hour of the accident proving the greatest chances of a successful re-implantation.

By storing the tooth in milk, saliva or saline solution, the delicate cells of the tooth roots are more comfortable in a solution similar to their natural state. Being kept in water will cause the cells to swell and burst.

Do not rub or vigorously clean the tooth and try to only handle it by the crown and not the root. If you are able to reinsert the tooth back into the socket, this is the best way to transport your tooth on your way in to see us, as long as you don’t swallow it.

With a little quick thinking with a calm and rational mind, emergencies can be dealt with properly, leading to a higher likelihood of success.