Dental emergency
Pain, swelling, a broken tooth: message us during opening hours, simply saying that it is urgent. We will reply as soon as possible.
Fever, swelling spreading towards the eye or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, bleeding that will not stop: go to the hospital emergency department immediately.
Who is it for? Situations where you should message us
- Severe toothache, pain that lingers, or pain that wakes you at night.
- Swelling of the gum or cheek, without any warning signs.
- A tooth that is broken, cracked or displaced after a knock.
- A crown, a bridge or a filling that has come off.
- A denture that is broken or that hurts.
While you wait for your appointment
- Pain: your usual painkiller, following the leaflet; avoid chewing on the painful side.
- Broken tooth: keep the fragment, rinse with water, avoid hard foods.
- Crown that has come off: keep it clean, and do not glue it back yourself with shop-bought glue.
- Tooth knocked out: hold it by the crown without touching the root, keep it in milk and seek care as quickly as possible.
Do not take antibiotics without medical advice: they do not replace treating the tooth.
At the practice
- Listening and examination. The dentist asks you about the pain and examines the area, with an X-ray if needed.
- Relief. The dentist first relieves the pain, under local anaesthesia when the procedure calls for it.
- Treating the cause or protecting the tooth. The cause is treated on the same day when possible; otherwise, a temporary treatment protects the tooth.
- Planning what comes next. A follow-up appointment is sometimes needed to complete the treatment; it is explained to you.
What you can expect
An emergency consultation aims to relieve you and to stop the situation from getting worse. It does not always replace complete treatment: definitive care may require further sessions, once the pain has settled.
Possible next steps, depending on the cause
- Root canal treatment, if the inside of the tooth is infected.
- A filling, a crown or re-cementing, for a broken tooth or a piece that has come off.
- An extraction, if the tooth cannot be kept, followed by the possible replacement options.
- Cleaning and gum follow-up, if the pain comes from inflamed gums.
Limits
- A temporary treatment only lasts for a while: you need to come back for the definitive treatment.
- Some situations need a hospital, in particular widespread swelling or general symptoms.
- Pain that goes away does not mean the infection has healed: the tooth must be treated.
Preventing emergencies: care and follow-up
Many emergencies come from a cavity or an infection that was developing silently. Regular check-ups and scaling at the advised intervals help spot them earlier. For contact sports, a mouthguard reduces the risk of injury.
- Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00
- Saturday 09:00 - 13:00
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if the pain starts outside opening hours?
Take your usual painkiller, following the leaflet, and message us: we will reply as soon as we open. If there are any warning signs, go to the hospital emergency department.
What should I write in the message?
Simply say that it is urgent, with your first name and surname. Medical details are given by phone or at the practice.
Can a knocked-out tooth be put back?
It is sometimes possible if you seek care very quickly and the tooth has been kept in milk. The sooner the tooth is seen, the better the chances.
A clinical consultation is needed to determine whether this treatment is right for you.