What can count as a dental emergency
Severe or increasing pain, facial swelling, dental trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, a knocked-out tooth, a badly broken tooth or signs of spreading infection can require prompt assessment.
If you have trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, rapidly increasing facial or neck swelling, severe trauma or another potentially life-threatening symptom, seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for a routine dental appointment.
What to tell the clinic when you call
Explain where the pain is, when it started, whether there is swelling, fever, trauma, bleeding or a broken restoration, and whether you can open your mouth normally. Mention relevant medical conditions and medications if the clinic asks.
Same-day does not always mean same treatment
An emergency appointment may focus first on diagnosis, pain control, infection management or stabilizing the problem. Definitive treatment can sometimes happen the same day, but it may require another appointment depending on the diagnosis and time available.
How to compare emergency dental options in London
Ask whether the clinic is accepting emergency patients today, what diagnostic services are available, whether common urgent procedures can be performed in-house and what the consultation or emergency exam may involve.
Before you leave for the appointment
Bring identification, insurance information if applicable, a medication list and any dental records or recent x-rays you can access. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, urgent professional guidance matters, so call immediately.
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