What is a dental emergency? A guide from our dentist in City of London

If you were to ask 100 people to try defining a dental emergency, 99 of them would probably say a toothache.

This is true since dental pain is one of the most common reasons why people visit an emergency dentist in the first place; it’s usually due to either a lost filling or a dental abscess.

But there are many other conditions that also require a same-day dental appointment to treat, which are not as well-known as a sore tooth. So, you may inadvertently be walking around with a dental emergency under your nose that is gradually getting worse because it is not being treated!

At Cannon Street Dental Centre, we are exceedingly proud to offer emergency dentistry, and our dentist in City of London is always on hand to fit in patients who may be experiencing emergency dental pain. We will aim to triage the severity of your condition when you call our team, and in the time between the phone call and the appointment, we will offer advice on how you can manage any potential discomfort at home.

So, without further ado, what exactly is considered a dental emergency, and when should you aim to book a same-day appointment with our dentist in City of London?

Toothache

Starting with the most obvious, you will need to see our emergency dentist in City of London if you have an ongoing toothache; this may feel like a throbbing, pounding, burning or stinging sensation and will usually grow gradually. But if you have suffered trauma to the face and are now suffering from dental pain, this also warrants a same-day appointment. In most cases of toothache, the problem is often a dental abscess or tooth decay that has reached the pulp of the tooth.

Lost filling or crown

In a similar vein, a lost filling or crown will warrant a same-day trip to our dental team, especially if the filling or crown that has been lost was particularly deep. You will likely be able to feel that you have lost this restorative since the nerve or pulp of the tooth will be exposed to the air, causing discomfort. But even if there is no discomfort from a lost filling or crown, you will still need to see our team for a same-day appointment; not doing so can cause decay to set in and the tooth to crack.

Swelling

Swelling in the cheek, under the jaw or anywhere in the mouth warrants a same-day appointment with our team since this is usually an indicator of a serious issue such as a dental abscess, an impacted tooth or even cancer.

Bleeding

Bleeds in the mouth are usually due to injury or a tooth being removed. But if after applying pressure to the site of the bleed for 20 minutes, there is no change in its flow, you will need to see our team promptly to have the area assessed and either stitched or glued to prevent further blood loss.

Ulcers

Ulcers are not uncommon, particularly in children, but if there have been recurring ulcers in the same part of your mouth that are bleeding, look yellow or have grown to the size of a 5-pence piece, you need to book an emergency appointment.