Dental emergencies are becoming increasingly common, particularly as the country experiences an ever-changing situation regarding COVID-19. Getting patients, the appointment or advice they need is crucial to all those at Etwall Dental Practice. Because of changes to routine dental treatment, we understand it may be increasingly difficult to visit your dentist. We would like to outline the common dental issues that would require emergency contact.

What is a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can include (but are not limited to):

• Loss of a tooth due to an accident or trauma
• Chip in a tooth due to an accident or trauma
• Infection or abscess
• Unexplained tooth pain and/or discomfort
• Loss of a dental restoration such as a bridge, filling or crown
• An emergency tooth extraction is required

How do I avoid dental emergencies?

To avoid potential dental emergencies, please do your best to adhere to the basic of dental care .Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once at night. The removal of plaque is essential. Do not take unnecessary risks with certain foods or drinks that will damage your teeth. Whilst it may not always be easy to maintain a good level of dental health, we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.

Such is the importance of not taking any obvious risks with food and drink, diet and lifestyle play a major part in avoiding the need for emergency dental treatment. Sugary foods and commonly consumed soft fizzy drinks dissolve enamel on your teeth. Over time, this will make teeth thinner and increasingly vulnerable to physical damage.

Although accidental damage is unavoidable, it’s important your teeth are in the best possible condition, so that any damage is minimal. Most of the time, small chips in teeth can be ignored. However, small chips that cause sharp edges may cause long-term damage to the inside of your mouth, tongue cheeks & soft tissue. If too much of the tooth has been broken off, there is a risk of the tooth root exposed, resulting in significant pain and discomfort, needing emergency dental care. Avoiding dental implants where possible is crucial in maintaining oral health.

What to do next?

If you feel as though you have any dental problems, please don’t hesitate to contact us via phone on 01283 733391 or our contact form. We will do our utmost to accommodate on the same day of calling, we advise calling first thing in the morning as afternoons cannot guarantee same day appointments.

For any non-emergency treatments, such as Teeth Whitening, please see a full list of Treatments.