A guide to emergency dentistry Members of the public who have been involved in an accident and sustained a severe dental injury as a result will be all too aware of the worry that ran through their mind when trying to find a nearby location to receive immediate treatment. It is extremely common for many individuals to be of the belief that they can only have their ailment seen to by a professional during usual office hours on weekdays, so many wrongly take matters into their own hands and go about attempting to fix the problem. However, this course of action could result in the issue worsening and leave dentists unable to provide a viable solution. For this reason, patients are urged to increase their awareness on what type of injury counts as an emergency case, while raising their knowledge of what to do in these instances. What counts as a dental emergency? One of the most important things for individuals to consider when they sustain this type of ailment is whether or not it requires immediate attention from a professional as many issues can wait. Most professionals agree there are a number of ailments that should be considered an emergency and patients are urged to contact a professional in such situations no matter what time it may be. Broken, cracked or chipped teeth: Occasions when pearly whites are cracked, broken or chipped are extremely common due to their fragile nature. In most cases, this happens when individuals experience dental trauma while taking part in a high-contact sport such as rugby or hockey. Alternatively, individuals may find they have bitten down hard on the wrong type of food. Teeth that have become decayed due to a build-up of bacteria are more likely to sustain this type of injury due to a weakened structure that makes teeth more susceptible to damage when consuming food and drink. Although preventing this issue from worsening is the most effective course of action to take, patients who are unfortunate enough to experience this should seek treatment from a dental professional as soon as possible. Severe toothache: While this problem can often be resolved during a regular check-up, serious cases can occur very suddenly – leaving individuals struggling to continue with their everyday routines due to high levels of discomfort. Usually, this is the result of a sizeable cavity that has been left to form in the teeth due to a lack of care, but some cases can be an early sign of an abscess that can worsen if they are left untreated. Cuts and broken jaws: Members of the public who are in the unfortunate situation of sustaining a gash or broken bone around their mouth can also attend a dental practice to receive professional assistance, despite the fact many people think they should attend A&E first. Although a hospital may be the best place to go, dentists can provide an initial examination to determine the extent of the issue, as well as cleaning the wound and prescribing painkillers before a referral to the appropriate doctor. Lost fillings: Many people can wait more than one day until they have a missing filling replaced, which is usually perfectly fine and should not cause serious damage to the area. However, this can worsen when patients do not seek treatment for a long time, as food and other debris can become trapped in the cavity. The majority of dentists recommend filling the affected tooth with half a piece of sugar-free chewing gum until an appointment is booked, while others will prioritise individuals with this type of problem to install a temporary solution until a longer visit is scheduled. Knocked out teeth: A high number of people are of the belief that a knocked out tooth can only be replaced with a false pearly white or denture, but this is not the case. Although the extra cost can put people off seeking treatment, a dentist could return the smile back to its original best. In such situations, the missing tooth can be placed back into the socket and the gum tissue should fuse around it on the premise that patients react quickly. For this reason, it is important that individuals pick up the pieces and take them to the appointment with them, with many professionals suggesting they are stored in a glass of milk in the meantime. While it may seem like the easier and cheaper option to live life with a missing tooth, patients should attempt to keep their natural set for as long as possible – as it will allow them to smile confidently and prevent the onset of gum erosion. Members of the public are advised to use common sense when a dental emergency occurs in order to figure out if they require an immediate consultation. What should I do if a dental emergency occurs? The first step for those people who have sustained a dental injury is to stabilise the ailment, which could be something as simple as placing chewing gum into an open area or putting a missing tooth into a glass of milk. Ensuring the right kind of painkillers are taken is also vital for alleviating any excessive discomfort that can worsen as the injury is left. Individuals should then contact their dentist. Luckily, the majority of practitioners make sure they have enough resources and the flexible staffing arrangements required to accommodate emergency cases, allowing those in need to receive treatment as soon as possible. Some practices also have an out-of-hours hotline that can be contacted during the night. While those that do not urge individuals to contact NHS Direct, which can locate the nearest surgery so a procedure can be carried out. This platform can also provide assistance on any steps that need to be taken to ease the progression of a condition or relieve pain. How can I prepare myself? Patients who are suffering from high levels of discomfort immediately after a dental injury or when tooth decay has become more severe can find it difficult to rationalise their thoughts. Unfortunately, this makes it increasingly likely for people to make poor decisions and fail to seek treatment quickly enough. For this reason, being prepared for such eventualities may help individuals avoid panic – so creating an at-home first aid kit could prevent this. Painkillers, swabs, chewing gum and contact numbers can then be stored in this location. Is there anything else I can do? The most important thing to consider in the case of immediate dentistry is the reason the tooth has become injured to begin with. While some are products of freak accidents, most have occurred due to problems that have been left to develop over a lengthy period of time. People who fail to attend regular check-ups may find they do not notice the emergence of cavities until this issue has worsened. Therefore, ensuring teeth and gums alike are well taken care of is a necessity for those hoping to enjoy a white, bright and healthy smile well into the future.