Can You Go A&E With Toothaches?
With 84% of UK adults at risk of tooth decay, it is no surprise that A&E toothache search queries are increasing. Toothache is one of those lovely occurrences that doesn’t wait until you have a day off or until 9 am on Monday. When it strikes, you will know about it! In fact, the uncomfortable situation has led 16% of adults to need emergency dental treatment within recent months.
So, can you go A&E with toothaches, or do you need to obtain treatment another way? Keep on reading to find out
If you have ever dealt with the dull, throbbing pain that a toothache creates, you will know all too well how bad things can get if they are not left untreated. At Didsbury Dental Practice, we know all too well the pain that patients deal with when they cannot get treatment when it is needed. That is why we made it our mission to make emergency dental care easy to book, 24/7 and 365 days a year.
What are the most common causes of toothache?
Toothache can arise from many reasons and is one of the main dental emergencies that patients deal with. The most common reasons for the unwanted recurring pain are the following:
Tooth Decay: It is believed that out of those at risk of tooth decay, 31% are suffering from associated issues at any time. Decaying teeth can damage the nerves and even gums which brings with it a lot of pain. These side effects can also lead to widespread dental issues and trouble carrying out everyday activities such as eating and drinking.
Broken or Damaged Tooth: Even if you have strong, healthy teeth, accidents can still cause damage. Broken teeth cause toothache as the structure has been compromised, affecting the nerves, soft tissue, and other teeth. This can also lead to wider issues, such as bleeding in the mouth if the tooth has sharp edges.
Infection or an Abscess: With 90% of adults having gum disease, issues such as infections and dental inflammation are common. An infection in the body anywhere, if left untreated, can result in wider spread health issues that are complex to resolve. They can also seriously compromise dental health over the long term and lead to much more costly treatment being needed.
Issues due to Dental Apparatus: If you have ever had braces or any other type of dental equipment, you will know that sometimes a change in positioning can lead to pain. If this is experienced for longer than 48 hours, it may well mean that a wider issue has occurred, compromising your dental health.
Stress: You may not have realised it, but stress can lead to toothache. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, you may end up experiencing localised pain anywhere in the body.
Can you go A&E with toothaches?
The official NHS advice for toothaches is that you should only go to A&E if you are suffering from either of the following:
– If the area around your eye, neck or anywhere else on the face is swollen.
– If any swelling being experienced around is making it difficult for you to breathe, swallow or speak.
These two reasons are allowed as they can lead to other health issues that extend past the remit of emergency dental treatment. For anything else, you are advised not to visit A&E and instead book an emergency dental appointment with your practice. This is not because the staff don’t care or want to alleviate patients’ pain but because dentistry is a different form of medical treatment. Unless you get lucky and find a doctor on duty who has studied in different medical fields, you will not find dental professionals in A&E.
How do I book an emergency dental appointment?
In an ideal world, everyone would have a dentist lined up that they visit regularly, but we understand this is not the case. This is further made an issue if you are expecting to be able to obtain NHS dental treatment in times of an emergency as currently, only 10% of UK NHS dentists are able to accept new patients. In times of extreme toothache, finding a practice that can help you quickly is important to ensure that no further issues arise.
Although appointments can be booked at short notice, many private practices still have limitations to their services. At Didsbury Dental Practice, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day. We also offer appointments seven days a week from 9 am to 12 am. It would be best if you always phoned at the first sign of a prolonged toothache, as it is likely that you may need treatment for a different issue.
With our practice, you can book an appointment regardless of whether you are an existing or a new patient by either booking a consultation online or by calling us on 0161 445 0005. This will vary from practice to practice, so it’s best to make a call or check out advice online for how you can go about confirming that vital appointment.
What should I do if my toothache is unbearable?
If you are in awful pain before your emergency dental treatment, you can try any of the below to alleviate your symptoms.
– Use some form of over-the-counter pain medication to keep you comfortable. This can be in the form of a painkiller tablet, such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, or a relieving gel.
– A saltwater rinse is also a good idea as this can help to start healing any infection or immediate inflammations thanks to this mineral’s natural healing properties.
– Never put your teeth under extra pressure by eating or drinking something that will add to your toothache woes. Only eating soft foods and drinking even-temperature drinks will provide you with some form of pain relief.
– Try using a warm compress on the side of the face near the area.
Ultimately, your toothache will not disappear until you have sought professional dentist attention, so be sure to book an emergency appointment as soon as possible.
How can I prevent a toothache from affecting me?
We wish there was a magical cure that meant our patients were never in pain, but alas, there is not. You can minimise your chances of unwanted dental issues, though, by maintaining good dental hygiene and health. 53% of UK people have not visited the dentist in the last year. Statistics like this, unfortunately, lead to wider issues being experienced, just like the ones we have mentioned in this article.
Our top tips for preventing toothache are:
– Attend your dentist for regular dentistry check-ups and hygienist treatments, as these both have a role in preventing issues.
– Be sensible with your diet to ensure your teeth are not subjected to too much sugar or rough foods. This should, of course, be coupled with maintaining good levels of cleaning and flossing, plus always using professional-grade dental products.
– Don’t put off having any required treatments, such as root canals, as this can lead to extra pain when you least expect it. If you are delaying treatment because of the financial side of things, you should always speak to your dentist about dental payment plans, as most practices offer some support. If you are a nervous patient and the thought of having a procedure fills you with dread, again, speak with your practice, as they will likely offer some kind of treatment that alleviates your stress.
The best form of treatment really is prevention when it comes to toothache!
Why should I choose Didsbury Dental Practice for my toothache emergency?
As one of the leading private dentists in Manchester, we know a thing or two about toothache! When you choose to have emergency treatment with us, you will benefit from the following:
Quick Treatment – Our private dental practice offers a 24/7 dental triage service. Open for patient care 365 days a year, we offer same-day appointments and speedy treatment for all emergency needs. The reason that some patients end up visiting and getting turned away from A&E is that they are not able to get the help they need. We make it possible for ANYONE to get treated as soon as possible so that you can start living a pain-free life again.
Quality of Care – Bespoke treatment plans, state-of-the-art equipment, and speed treatments are all benefits of choosing our practice for your toothache woes. By revolutionising the dental experience, we have been able to elevate the level of care that our patients experience.
Environment – When you are feeling rubbish, the last thing you want is to have to sit in a cold, clinical feeling setting with just your achy jaw to keep you company. Our surgery has been designed so that no matter how much pain you are in, you will feel a sense of calmness when you enter, thanks to the modern décor and friendly ambience.
If you are in pain and have been considering your options for A&E toothache treatment, contact us today to start your treatment journey.
