Do Dentists Work in Emergency?

As a leading dental practice in Manchester, we at Didsbury Dental Practice are of the firm conviction that you can never be too careful with your oral health.

Sometimes, when patients experience a tooth emergency, they wait for the pain and discomfort to go away after a few days, rather than seeking emergency dental care. However, we are here to tell you that ignoring a tooth emergency will do you more harm than good.

Are you wondering, do dentists work in emergency?

Well, we will outline the key facts about emergency dentistry in this article, which we hope you find informative.

What constitutes a dental emergency?

You should visit a dental professional as soon as possible if you have:

uncontrollable dental haemorrhage following tooth extraction.
rapidly increasing swelling around the throat or eye.
excessive bleeding in the mouth.
severe swelling of the gums, cheek, or face.
an excruciating toothache, especially when eating or drinking, which does not go away after taking painkillers.
had a tooth knocked out, due to a blow to the face.
constant aching in your jaw, ears, neck or head.
an abscess (build-up of pus that forms in the teeth or gums, caused by an infection).
severe tooth decay.
foul-smelling breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
pain or sensitivity to very hot or very cold foods.
broken a crown.

You should call 999 or visit a walk-in Accident & Emergency centre if your toothache is accompanied by:

difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
a fever (this could be a sign of infection spreading in your body).
difficulty swallowing or speaking.
blurry vision.
nausea or vomiting.
swollen neck glands.

Do dentists work in emergency?

So, do dentists work in emergency?

Yes, there are dentists who are specifically trained to resolve tooth emergencies. These are tooth problems that may lead to long-term damage or life-threatening complications if they are not examined immediately.

These dentists are called emergency dentists. Emergency dentists are very accustomed to carrying out treatments for patients who require immediate attention for a tooth problem.

If you book an emergency appointment, you will be examined by an emergency dentist.

Emergency appointments are different to routine check-ups.

At a routine check-up appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth, and ask you questions about your medical history, any previous teeth issues, and your lifestyle (e.g. whether you smoke).

During the check-up, the dentist won’t be able to provide treatments such as fillings, extraction, or any other type of emergency care. You will need to book a follow-up appointment or emergency appointment for these.

What treatment can emergency dentist do?

Emergency dentists have the knowledge, equipment, lighting, and experience as to how to resolve any type of tooth emergency.

You are in safe hands when you make an emergency dentist appointment. The dentist will be able to examine you thoroughly, take action to fix the issue, prescribe any medications, and offer you the best advice and aftercare.

You wouldn’t receive this highly detailed examination and treatment from your GP or your local Accident & Emergency department, as these medical professionals do not have the specialist knowledge of dentistry that dentists have.

That is why it is imperative to turn to a dental professional in the event of a tooth emergency.

The emergency dentist can:

Stop any excessive bleeding in the mouth.
Provide pain relief.
Minimise any long-term damage to the teeth, gum, or mouth.
Treat any tooth or gum infection.
Extract a tooth.
Offer the appropriate care and advice if you have excessive tooth pain, facial swelling, gum disease or tooth decay.
Carry out incision and drainage or emergency root canal treatment if you have a dental abscess.
Carry out a hygiene treatment, which includes plaque removal, descaling, gum health checks, and removal of calculus above the gums.
Prescribe antibiotics to treat a dental abscess or tooth infection.
Offer an emergency filling.
Re-insert an avulsed tooth, knocked-out tooth, or dislodged crown.
Fix a chipped or broken tooth.
Refer you for further examinations or treatment if the problem is more serious.

Are dentists trained in first aid?

Yes, every dental practice is legally required to have at least one person who is trained in emergency first aid.

Dentists have specialist medical knowledge, so they will be prepared and well-equipped in case an emergency arises. For instance, if a patient faints during their appointment, then the dentist knows exactly how to deliver the appropriate first aid and keep the person calm and comfortable.

What should I do if I am having a tooth emergency but I can’t find an emergency dental appointment?

Don’t just ignore your dental emergency. Seeking medical attention is always the right thing to do, as it is better to be safe, than sorry.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency out-of-hours, then you should call the NHS 111 service, or use their online service. The telephone operator will point you to the appropriate care. You may need a face-to-face appointment or further treatment, so you will be directed to the right course of action.

Where can I get an emergency dental appointment?

Emergency Dental Care at Didsbury Dental Practice

At Didsbury Dental Practice, our emergency dental care is second to none. Our emergency dental care service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on Bank Holidays and Christmas Day.

Our team of dental professionals can provide treatment for any type of dental emergency: from severe toothache and tooth infections to broken teeth, lost fillings or gum inflammation.

Didsbury Dental Practice has got you covered, at any time of day or night. Dental emergencies can be very painful, so we offer out-of-hours treatment because we know that dental problems don’t always stick to 9.00 am to 12.00 am.

To book an emergency appointment with us, it is not necessary for you to be an existing patient at our practice.

If you experience a dental emergency, simply call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2509, or walk into our dental practice, and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.

Your first appointment will be for the initial treatment to address your dental problem and stop it from worsening. This will usually be followed by more appointments over the next few days or weeks, to make sure you are on making good progress and healing properly.

Services for Nervous Patients at Didsbury Dental Practice

We understand the anxiety that patients may feel about attending dental appointments.

That is why we offer services for nervous patients, including pain-free dental laser treatment and conscious sedation. We are proud to offer the most compassionate dental care, in tranquil surroundings, so every patient is in safe hands with us.

Click here to learn more about the emergency dental care offered at Didsbury Dental Practice.

About Didsbury Dental Practice

We are a 24-hour emergency dentist in South Manchester. Our team is highly experienced, and we deliver a level of patient comfort like no other dental practice. Every patient is treated with the most sophisticated care in a truly relaxed atmosphere.

In addition, all our staff are multi-lingual. Languages spoken at our dental practice include German, French, Polish, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.

We offer a wide range of dental services and treatments, including teeth whitening, Invisalign, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.

To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.

Check out our blog to read more articles on all things dental health.

We hope this article has provided the answer to the question, ‘do dentists work in emergency?’