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Dental Emergency

A dental emergency can strike at any time (usually, at the worst possible moment).

Whether it’s a chipped or broken tooth, a lost filling, wisdom tooth pain, tooth infection or painful, bleeding gums, here at Art of Dental Care, we’re ready and on hand to get you feeling back to yourself in no time.

If you need an urgent dental appointment in Chester, contact our professional team and we’ll do what we can to get you seen as quickly as possible.

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Photo by Adrian Swancar

What is considered a dental emergency?

Urgent dental care may be required in any situation where there is severe pain, swelling, bleeding or a serious oral health issue.

Examples may include a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, dental abscess, injury to the jaw or a broken tooth.

How Art of Dental Care can help

We offer a range of emergency care services, and will aim to see you as soon as we can.

When you contact Art of Dental Care for an urgent dental appointment, we’ll provide as much information as possible to help you manage your condition until we can get you treated at our practise.

During your visit, we’ll perform a thorough examination, diagnose the condition and offer treatment to help restore your smile to its former glory.

Please note that while we do accept dental emergencies at Art of Dental Care, we are unable to see patients out-of-hours. Please call the practice or email us to arrange an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

A dental emergency is a situation where immediate dental care is required to alleviate severe pain, stop bleeding, relieve swelling, save a tooth or address a serious oral health issue.

Examples include a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, dental abscess, injury to the mouth or jaw or a broken tooth. 

If a tooth is knocked out completely, it's imperative to act quickly. Retrieve the tooth if possible, handling it by its crown (the top part) and avoiding touching the root. Rinse it with warm water if it's dirty, but try not to scrub or dislodge any of the attached tissues.

Attempt to reinsert the tooth back into the socket and bite into a clean cloth, or keep it in a container of saliva or milk. Visit a dentist within 30 minutes for a greater chance of saving your tooth. 

To deliver at home pain relief from a severe toothache, try rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater to cleanse the area.

Carefully floss around the painful tooth, or teeth, to remove trapped food particles or any debris.

Avoid putting aspirin, or any analgesic, directly onto the affected tooth, gums or area, as it may cause irritation.

Pain relief from over-the-counter medication can help temporarily, but it's important to visit a dentist as quickly as possible to determine the cause, and receive appropriate treatment.

If you have a broken tooth, you should rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to clean the area.

Visit a dentist as soon as you can, bringing any fragments with you if available. You could also use a temporary cement kit, which you can buy over the counter or can find in the dental section of the supermarkets. The dentist will assess the extent of the damage and recommend appropriate treatment options. 

Dental abscesses are infections that require immediate attention.

Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to help alleviate pain. This can also help to draw out some of the infection.

Avoid applying cold or heat to the affected area.

Contact a dentist immediately for an emergency appointment. The dentist may prescribe antibiotics to control the infection and perform a root canal treatment or extract the affected tooth, depending on the severity of the abscess. If the swelling is spreading and affects your breathing, swallowing, causes difficulty in mouth opening / closing, causes closure of the eye or if you run a high temperature, you will need to immediately go to the A&E (Accident and Emergency Department) of your local hospital. 

If you have a soft tissue injury such as a bitten lip, tongue or cheek, gently wash the area with warm water. Apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to control bleeding.

Using a cold compress on the outside of your mouth or cheek can help to reduce the swelling. If the bleeding doesn't stop or the injury you’ve sustained is severe, seek medical attention. 

If you have an orthodontic appliance that has become broken, such as a wire poking into your cheek or a broken bracket, try using orthodontic wax to cover the sharp or protruding edges.

If a wire is stuck in your gums, cheeks or tongue, do not attempt to cut it yourself; seek professional help from an orthodontist. Contact your orthodontist as quickly as possible to schedule a repair appointment. 

Please contact the Art of Dental Care practice for emergency appointments during working hours.

If you’re calling out of hours, it's recommended to contact the practice and follow the instructions provided.

You can also call NHS 111 or 0161 476 9651 for advice and information on available emergency dental services in your area.