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What Is Considered A Dental Emergency During COVID-19?
The way dental practices operate has changed over the last few months due to the unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19, meaning that for a while only emergency dental procedures and appointments could be done. Thankfully with some of the restrictions placed on dentistry being lifted gradually many of us can begin to operate a more extensive range of services, however emergency and urgent care remains a high priority.
This change has led many to wonder what exactly is classed as a dental emergency and what care can be provided to prevent the need for emergency dental treatment.
A dental emergency is an oral health issue that requires immediate attention to alleviate severe pain, treat dangerous infections or to save a tooth that is at risk. In some cases the emergency is obvious, such as in the case of a knocked out tooth, but other times you may have pain or discomfort and not know what to do. Find out what to do in both scenarios.
What Is Classed As A Dental Emergency?
If you suffer from any of the below you need to make an emergency dentist appointment:
- Gum, cheek or face swelling that is spreading.
- If the swelling is spreading down the neck, up to the eyes or along the floor of the mouth, when you contact the practice you must mention this.
- Excruciating pain that is resulting in a lack of sleep or concentration
- Mouth ulcers that haven’t healed after two weeks.
- A recent tooth extraction that is now experiencing bleeding that lasts more than 20 minutes, and can’t be stopped by creating pressure with a hankie or gauze.
- Been following self-help advice for your problem but the pain is getting worse
- A broken, cracked or chipped tooth, that is causing pain and damage to your cheek or tongue.
- Make sure to clean your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce swelling.
- Knocked-out a tooth.
- Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown (the top section of the tooth), taking care not to touch the root, and carefully rinse. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, reinsert the tooth in the socket in the gum it came from. If you can’t, simply place the tooth in a small container of milk and make an emergency dentist appointment.
- Controlled bleeding due to facial trauma.
- Abscessed tooth.
- This condition may cause a fever, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, a persistent toothache, tender lymph nodes in your neck, swelling in the face, and a pimple-like bump on your gums near the infected tooth. Before seeing the emergency dentist, rinse your mouth with saltwater several times to reduce the pain and draw the pus in the infection to the surface.
All of these conditions require urgent care and treatment by a dentist. Here at Shifnal Dental Care our friendly team is always ready to help you in the best way they can, so that that pain can be alleviated fast.
The below conditions are classed as non-emergency issues, we are however happy to see you if it is causing considerable distress:
- A minor toothache that comes and goes, or is a dull aching pain.
- Pain in wisdom teeth without swelling and doesn’t restrict the opening of the mouth.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Sensitivity of or bleeding in the gums.
- A sharp pain is emitted when biting down.
- Mouth ulcers that are less than 10 days old.
- Orthodontic pain or problems.
- A loose or missing crown or veneer.
- Denture discomfort.
If you are suffering with one of these conditions give Shifnal Dental Care a call for advice on how best to manage the symptoms and pain at home until your dental appointment. As there may be some instances where we still can’t see you face-to-face, or you may need to wait a little longer for an appointment than usual. We want to ensure you stay as safe as possible without endangering your oral health.
Attending An Emergency Dentist Appointment
If you have made or are making an emergency dentist appointment it is important to make sure that you are able to clearly explain what symptoms you have and where the pain is in your mouth.
There is no need to be worried about attending a dental appointment with us during this period of coronavirus, to help give you the best treatment and to keep you safe we have developed the following guidance for all appointments:
- Before leaving home please remember to brush your teeth, use the toilet and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Bring the minimal number of belongings you need with you.
- Phone us once you are in the car park to let us know you have arrived.
- Wait in your car or by the door until we will call you in.
- Please attend unaccompanied, unless you require a carer or parent.
- On entry into the practice – we will have a welcome point where a member of our team will take your temperature and ask you to sanitise your hands.
- In the surgery , we will be wearing full PPE- please do not be worried it is still us!
- Before you leave the surgery we will ask you to sanitise your hands.
- When you leave the surgery we will begin the disinfection and sterilisation process of the surgery.
- Payments and future bookings will be organised at reception keeping within the social distancing rules.
- On leaving the premises we will ask you to sanitise your hands.
By following the above procedures we ensure that you stay safe and get the dental treatment you need, be it a routine check-up or an emergency appointment.
We understand that dental pain at home can be very uncomfortable, this is why our staff have been prioritising emergency and urgent dental care.
Don’t suffer in silence!
Contact Shifnal Dental Care on 01952 460119 or fill out our enquiry form for advice on managing dental pain at home or to book an emergency dental appointment today.
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