Dental Blog - Farnham Road Dental Practice

A guide to emergencies and dental pain from Farnham Road Dental Practice

It’s time to talk about something that no-one ever really wants to discuss; dental emergencies and the discomforts that they can bring.

If you have ever had a dental emergency caused by a loose filling or an abscess, chances are that you remember the sensation quite well. However, as discomfort is subjective, it can be hard for someone who has a busy schedule to be able to identify if their dental discomfort is indicative of something minor or more serious.

So, how can you tell if you can delay your dental appointment until the weekend or if you need urgent dental care?

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we know all about emergencies and dental pain in Guildford. Over the years, our team has encountered thousands of patients with a raging toothache which pointed towards emergency treatment, and have composed the following list to help you identify if you need to see our team urgently, or if you can make an appointment for 2 days. Now that’s helpful!

So, what are the synonyms we have picked to help you identify if you need emergency care?

Sharp or piercing

Emergencies and dental pain in Guildford are often described by our patients as a ‘sharp, piercing’ sensation.In short, if you have a tooth which feels as if its roots are being intermittently pierced (sounds odd, but if it happens it is an accurate description!), then you need to see our team for an emergency appointment. Such discomfort indicates an abscess forming or potentially an unerupted but impacted tooth.

Fleeting

Fleeting pain is a bit of a strange word when linked to emergencies and dental pain in Guildford but if you have identified it, it may point to a loose filling or crown which needs to be examined promptly before it falls out.

With this feeling, it may worsen sporadically and last a few seconds but it doesn’t spread and it rarely feels as deep in the tooth as the root.

Temperature related

Temperature related discomfort or sensitivity can point to a cavity, a loose filling or even an abscess so, as soon as it hurts to drink tea or coffee, you need to see our team.

If this discomfort worsens over the day, e.g. it responds to air temperature changes, this is a sure-fire indicator of an abscess which requires urgent treatment.

Hot

Hot pain is common when the nerve of the tooth is exposed, which can occur due to decay or injury. Either way, it is not pleasant and may feel as though it is radiating along your jaw.

As soon as you notice this, you need an emergency appointment to cover the exposed nerve and prevent any abscesses from working their way in.

Bruised

Typically linked to the root of the tooth, this type of sensation may point to an abscess forming around the pulp. If the gum appears blue, purple or yellow, you will need to see our team as soon as possible as you have an infection.

Is your cracked enamel an emergency? A guide to emergencies and dental pain from Farnham Road

In 2020, many people became more attuned to identifying a health emergency.

emergencies-and-dental-pain-in-guildford

However, in 2021, while more people can accurately spot when someone requires an ambulance, many people are still somewhat undecided about how to best identify a dental emergency.

Of course, many people when asked to picture a dental emergency envision someone who is in a great deal of discomfort with a swollen face, but is this the only dental issue warranting a same-day appointment?

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, our team is well versed in both emergencies and dental pain in Guildford, and are here to shed some light on this most delicate of issues. We are proud to be able to offer our patients same-day appointments as and when required, allowing you to get back to your day pain-free. We pride ourselves on our level of emergency care, so when you come to us, you can rest assured that your dental issue will soon be resolved.

But it is one thing for a dentist to be able to spot emergencies and dental pain in Guildford, but how can you better this skill at home? Here, we offer a guide to identifying emergencies and dental pain in Guildford, to help keep you safe.

Discomfort

A sharp, stabbing, burning or pulsating pain are all indicators that you have a dental emergency on your hands and need to see our team in Guildford.

If the discomfort is preventing you from working, eating or sleeping, then you need to book an emergency appointment as such signs may indicate an abscess, which can be life-threatening.

Cracked teeth

A cracked tooth or teeth may seem simple enough but left untreated, cracks can spread and allow bacteria to get underneath the enamel and cause decay. Not only that, but a cracked tooth may spread inwards toward the pulp, causing heightened sensitivity and allowing infections to occur.

As soon as you spot a crack, contact our team at Farnham Road Dental.

Loose or lost filling

A loose filling doesn’t have to hurt to warrant emergency treatment.

If the filling has fallen out completely, then book an appointment to have another one fitted. Not doing so can cause decay, damage to the enamel and the tooth alongside being a breeding ground for bacteria to wreak havoc on the pulp.

All uncomfortable and avoidable, as soon as the filling is loose, contact us!

Bleeding

Oral bleeding is usually benign and linked to facial trauma or even a tooth extraction.

However, if there is a continuous bleed coming from your mouth which isn’t slowing with the application of pressure and gauze, you will need to see us for either stitching or to have surgical glue applied.

Swelling

Like the lost filling, oral swelling does not need to be painful to warrant an emergency trip to see us.

If there is a gradual or sudden swelling to your face, under your jaw or in your mouth, our team will be able to book you in for a same-day appointment.

A dentist is here for emergencies and dental pain in Guildford

It is comforting to know that there is a dentist readily available to support you through any emergencies and dental pain Guildford that you might experience in your life. We are proud to be relied on consistently by our patients and we also offer our services to anyone who needs immediate care for any emergencies and dental pain Guildford that you or your loved ones may have.

Simply get in touch by calling us and one of our team will walk you through anything you need to know before you reach us. If you call after hours, simply follow the instructions that are recorded so that you can find the right professional to help you as quickly as possible.

By knowing some of the steps that are necessary to take during an emergency as well, you could make all the difference when it comes to restoring a tooth back to full functionality again.

This is particularly true when it comes to avulsed teeth, because through a combination of swift dental action and by caring for the avulsed tooth in the right way, there is every chance that we are able to permanently place the tooth back into the socket and therefore, avoid all of the distressing after effects that losing a tooth has on a person. It can certainly be a traumatic experience, but with a few smart steps, we can hopefully reduce the impact to a single experience, rather than a lifelong battle to ensure the full functionality and strength of your smile.

What are some of these steps?

When a tooth has been avulsed, or knocked out of the mouth completely, avoid overhandling the tooth and avoid touching the root altogether. Do not vigorously rub or scrub the tooth clean, rather gently rinsing it in a saline solution or milk.

If you soak or wash the tooth in plain water, the cells in the delicate root swell and burst, essentially killing the tooth and meaning it will not be able to be used.

If you are able to replace the tooth back into the socket without too much pain, then do this, placing a cotton cloth overtop and biting down gently to hold it in place. Whatever you do, do not swallow the tooth! There is not much we can do about this. If you can make it to our practice within the hour for immediate treatment, then if the tooth itself is not broken, then we might be able to save it.

The importance of this kind of care

Emergencies and dental pain Guildford are a very real situation for many and having this service available for those who need it is critical for the wellbeing of our community.

If you have a sore tooth, please, seek immediate care from one of our professionals. If you have suffered an accident and have hurt, chipped, broken or lost your tooth, seek our support and come in to see us straight away. If you have a pressing concern, you have lost a crown or another restorative treatment seems to have failed, this also is treated as an emergency and you should make sure that you speak with us, so that you know what you can do to ensure your smile remains healthy.

Seeking support for emergencies and dental pain Guildford?

When you’re in pain, it is an all-encompassing and overwhelming experience. If you have had a toothache that just will not go away, then seeking a professional to help you to get rid of the pain is pretty much foremost in your mind.

If you are needing an oral healthcare professional for emergencies and dental pain Guildford, then look no further than us for all of your needs covered in a swift, compassionate and professional manner. All you need to do is phone our practice and if any emergencies and dental pain Guildford is out of hours, then there will be instructions for you to follow to make sure that you can get a hold of the right professional as quickly as possible.

The importance of swift action

After an accident, it is critical that you seek immediate care, even if your tooth is just chipped. This way, we can prevent further injury taking place and even ensure that your tooth remains healthy.

In a more serious situation, such as an avulsed tooth, if you are able to seek professional care within an hour of the accident occurring, then there is a chance that we will be able to reinsert the natural tooth, avoiding you a lot of time and money in needing to have it professionally replaced.

There are many solutions that we can offer in an emergency setting to make sure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Knowing that you are in competent and extremely experienced hands can alleviate the trauma significantly, especially when we have available all of the resources and modern technology possible to give your smile the best possible chance of recovering.

What about for a toothache?

When a toothache simply won’t go away, we treat this as an emergency and you should as well. Do not sit in discomfort for a moment longer than you need to, but rather seek professional support as quickly as you can to minimise the detrimental impact that this pain can have on your wellbeing.

Unfortunately, pain is a sign of something relatively sinister and restorative treatments are generally the course of action. Depending on your personal situation which we will examine during the emergency appointment, we can quickly deal with the problem or provide you with a temporary fix, before booking another appointment to complete the restoration.

We are compassionate, non-judgemental and experienced professionals who competently work with a wide range of emergencies and dental pain Guildford. We treat patients who have avulsed or chipped teeth through accidents and we remove or restore teeth that have become painful due to poor oral health.

We even correct old restorative treatments, such as replacing a crown that has been chipped, broken or lost, ensuring that the integrity of your smile remains intact for as long as possible. If you wait until your scheduled routine appointment to be seen regarding some of these issues, then a lot more damage could have been done, as your tooth is again exposed to the elements.

We look forward to helping you regain your confidence and oral health once more.

What is a dental emergency?

The nature of a dental emergency was clear before the lockdowns started, but during the first national lockdown, our dentists were forced to close our doors. In the second lockdown, we have been upgraded to key workers, who are able to respond to emergencies and dental pain in Guildford. Which leads to the question of which conditions need emergency care, and which ones are suitable for home-treatment in the interim?

So, now more than ever, we need clear definitions of what emergencies and dental pain Guildford are and what should be treated in our clinic and what is appropriate for at-home care. Let us take a pragmatic look at urgent dental care and explore which issues will require a same-day appointment from our team at Farnham Road.

Unignorable pain

If you have constant pain which prevents you from focusing on anything else and is stopping you from sleeping, this is a medical emergency and will need to be assessed by our team. Or if you have a pain that is not responding to any kind of over the counter pain relief, be sure to contact our emergency team for an appointment.

Sharp-edged teeth

If the broken edge of a chipped tooth is cutting into your tongue or cheek and is breaking the skin, contact our team for advice.

Having an open wound in the mouth can lead to infection but having a sharp-edged tooth also signifies a breakage that will need to be assessed promptly.

Blue swelling

If you have a blue discoloured swelling which is spreading across the mouth, up to the roof or under the tongue, contact our emergency dentist. This could point to an abscess, which warrants immediate medical attention from our team. Along with this, if you are running a high temperature and skin mottling occurs, this is a sign of life-threatening sepsis and you need to go to your nearest hospital.

Trauma related injury

If you have been in any sort of accident, or have suffered a trauma to the facial area and one of your teeth has broken in half, you will need to see our team immediately so that we can provide you with the best possible car. Leaving a broken tooth exposed may cause 0ther secondary issues, such as infections, discomfort and the gum may grow over the root. Our team will assess the injury and aim to attach or restore your tooth, which may involve fitting a crown. If there is too much damage, then we will choose to extract the remaining root of the tooth.

If you call us, you will be put in contact with our on-duty dentist, who can talk you through your options and book you in if required. We hope to ease your discomfort as much as possible.

What are dental emergencies and how do you prepare for them?

What are dental emergencies?

Dental emergencies can be quite stressful and frightening if they reach us unprepared. Dental emergencies can mean a variety of conditions, such as rapidly increasing orofacial swelling, dental traumas, severe dental or facial pain, gum tissue or tooth infections, etc. but they are all characterised by requiring immediate assistance and treatment from a professional. It is very important to be prepared for dental emergencies and know what to do under different circumstances. While preparing to see your dentist, knowing some emergency dental first aid techniques can also be very useful. Having an emergency dentist can prevent you from having to look for one during a potentially stressful and painful time, which can certainly take away some of the worry that occurs during a dental emergency. If you are looking for an emergency dentist to treat emergencies and dental pain in Guildford, look no further, book an appointment with us, the Farnham Road Dental Practice.

What to do if dental trauma occurs

Dental traumas can be very painful, which is not a surprise. As pain is a sensation developed throughout evolution to quickly withdraw from painful stimuli (acute pain) or to indicate that we need to rest a body part in order to heal it (chronic pain), dental pain – given the proximity to the brain, a vital organ – is often very intense. Different types of dental traumas can occur, including mild scratches of the enamel, chipping of teeth, a whole tooth getting knocked out, or in some cases even the gum tissue or the inside of the cheeks can get damaged. If the enamel gets damaged or a chipping or a crack occurs, seeking treatment fairly soon can solve the issue. If a whole tooth gets knocked out, it is very important to seek treatment as soon as possible, as the chance of successful reimplantation decreases with time after the injury occurs. Try licking off the impurities from the tooth and storing it in milk while you are on your way to our dentist. It is very important however, that you do not store the tooth in water. If you are looking for a dentist to treat emergencies and dental pain in Guildford, we can assure you that you will be treated promptly in order to alleviate your discomfort and worry.

What to do if you experience dental pain

Dental pain can be very frustrating and even debilitating, it can really make focusing on your daily tasks difficult. If you experience dental pain try looking for a cavity on your teeth in good light. A black or brown spot on the surface of one of your teeth can indicate tooth decay. Dental pain does not only occur from cavities. It is important to see your dentist immediately if the pain does not go away after 2-3 days, or does not respond to over the counter medications, such as paracetamol. Rubbing a small amount of clove oil can help with dental pain before you are going to your dentist, as it contains a potent and natural local anaesthetic. If you are looking for treatment for emergencies and dental pain in Guildford, and need a dedicated, proficient emergency dentist, we are here to help when you need us most.

What to do in a dental emergency

What are dental emergencies?

Generally, the term dental emergency refers to any dental condition that requires immediate professional assistance and treatment to prevent severe pain or serious medical and dental complications. This includes for example uncontrollable bleeding, perhaps after an extraction, growing orofacial swelling – especially if near the eyes or the throat – or dental traumas. Severe toothaches and tooth or gum tissue infections also count as a dental emergency. Dental emergencies can often be stressful, therefore it can be very useful to have a plan for what to do if one of them occurs. Planning when they have already occurred can be very stressful and can take up valuable time in such an intense situation. It is also very important to know some basic dental first aid tricks, as they can both make a prognosis better and alleviate some of the pain. Having an emergency dentist close to you to turn to in case of a crisis can make the situation a lot easier. If you are looking to find an emergency dentist to treat emergencies and dental pain Guildford, get in touch with us, the Farnham Road Dental Practice.

When to see the dentist if you have a toothache

Certain milder and more transient toothaches are often no reason to worry. It can be useful however to know when a toothache indicates a need to visit the dentist. If a toothache lasts longer than two days, it is an important sign, indicating that professional help might be needed. If you have a toothache, try taking ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin, or any other over the counter pain relief medication. If the pain does not respond, visit your dentist for evaluation and treatment. Pain occurring when biting alongside red gum tissue, a bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth all show that you need to visit your dentist. Cheek and jaw swelling are also symptoms to be taken seriously. There are certain, even more important signs to look out for, which necessitate a visit to the A&E, these are severe and worsening swelling near the throat or the eyes and oral or neck swelling, which interferes with breathing, swallowing or speech. If you would like to have an emergency dentist to treat emergencies and dental pain Guildford, contact us at our practice.

What should I do if a dental injury occurs?

Dental injuries vary in severity and not all of them necessitate immediate assistance. Dental traumas can range in severity from mild enamel damage to an entire tooth getting knocked out, in some cases causing damage to the inside of the cheeks or the gum tissue. If your tooth has been knocked out, make sure to clean any impurities off by licking it off or rinsing it in milk. After this, store the tooth in milk until you get to your emergency dentist. You may also try reinserting the tooth into the hole it got knocked out from by gently biting on a sterile cloth or towel until you get to your dentist. We, the Farnham Road Dental Practice treat emergencies and dental pain Guildford with professionalism and empathy, so get in touch with us if you would like proficient and caring service in a dental emergency.

Could now be the time for nervous patients in Guildford to get the care they need?

Get the care that you need

Here at Farnham Road Dental Practice, we recognise the stress that Covid-19 may have placed our patients under. As such, we are doing all that we can to make sure they know that we are there for them, and will be able to provide them with the dental and oral care they need, throughout these troubling and uncertain times. For many people, the recent pandemic measures have caused us to pay a closer amount of scrutiny and attention to all aspects of our health and wellbeing.

One result of this rising amount of focus towards our health has been an increase in the amount of patients who are looking to have their oral health professionally assessed by a dental hygienist. At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we offer a professional cleaning service which is tailored around the needs of nervous patients in Guildford, and we understand that for some a visit to the dentist chair can be the cause of high levels of anxiety and stress.

What can a dental hygienist do for me?

For nervous patients in Guildford who may not have visited their dentist for a considerable amount of time, we recommend that they visit our practice to seek the services provided by our dental hygienists. Whilst cosmetic dentistry is centred around how a patient’s teeth look, a dental hygienist operates in a more preventive capacity – by making sure that a patient’s teeth and gums are as healthy as they ought to be. Any nervous patients in Guildford who visit our practice can rest assured that our expertly trained hygienists have seen teeth in all conditions over their lengthy careers, and that nothing will come as a surprise to them.

Our hygienists do all that is within their power to make the patient feel at ease and comfortable throughout their treatment with us, and absolutely never judge a patient who may have refrained from seeking out dental help prior to now. The important thing, we believe, is that patients have made the first – and arguably most important – step on their journey towards a healthier dental future, by taking direct action and contacting one of our dental hygienists.

Maintaining healthy gums

One of the most crucial parts of the dental care which is provided by our hygienist, here at Farnham Road Dental Practice, is keeping our patient’s gums fit and healthy. Our gums are vital to our oral health, and act as cushions to our teeth by protecting them from harmful bacteria as well as adding support to our jaws. One of the most common signs that your gums may be in a poor state of health is noticing blood when brushing or flossing. This, alongside inflammation in your gums, is known as Gingivitis. When caught early, Gingivitis can be easily treated through medicated mouthwashes and other treatments, however – if it is left to develop further then it can cause a gum infection which is known as Periodontal disease (or, more commonly, gum disease) which is far more serious and accounts for the most losses of teeth in adults across the country, after trauma or injury. However, luckily our expert hygienists here at Farnham Road Dental Practice are well practiced in the identification of early signs of periodontal disease, and can provide treatment to stop it in its tracks before it can do any serious damage to the patient’s oral health.

Could you benefit from our slow and easy service tailored to nervous patients Guildford?

Here for you

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, we know that a trip to the dentist’s chair isn’t typically a highly anticipated event for most of our patients. Whilst many people put off going to the dentist until it is absolutely necessary, most of our patients recognise that it is necessary to ensure the health of their teeth. However, there are some out there who suffer from such severe levels of dental anxiety and dental phobia that they avoid going to the dentist altogether – regardless of the conditional of their oral health. People who feel this way will be glad to know that here at Farnham Road Dental Practice we specialise in the treatment of nervous patients Guildford and do all that we can to make them feel relaxed and at ease, throughout each step of their treatment.

Over the years our practitioners have seen it all, and we never judge our patients – regardless of how long it may have been since they have last been in the dentist’s chair. Any nervous patients in Guildford who perhaps feel that now is the time to seek out dental care, can trust Farnham Road Dental Practice to provide a level of care which is tailored to their needs and at a pace with which they feel comfortable and at ease.

Getting your smile ship-shape

One of the best forms of treatment that we offer for nervous patients Guildford, is provided by our dental hygienist. Rather than address the cosmetics of a patient’s teeth – which are arguably secondary to their wellbeing – it is the job of our dental hygienist to make sure that a patient’s teeth are as medically fit and healthy as they can be, which allows them not to have to fret about dental problems affecting their health. Our dental hygienist is one of the best solutions for those who have not been to the dentist in a long while, as they are experts at identifying any potential oral health problems, such as periodontal disease and recommending the relevant treatment before it can have a chance to develop further.

At Farnham Road Dental Practice, our dental hygienists have seen teeth in all imaginable conditions, and therefore nothing can surprise them. Additionally, they are expertly trained in listening to the needs of the patient, and acting accordingly. If you are a nervous patient, but wish to have your oral health professionally looked over by a dentist who will work to a pace which suits you, then you ought to speak to one of our staff here at Farnham Road Dental Practice to see what we can do for your smile.

Scaling and polishing

One of the main roles which is carried out by our dental hygienists at Farnham Road Dental Practice is the professional cleaning of a patient’s teeth. This is known as a ‘scale and polish’ procedure. This is a two step process which has been engineered to leave the patient’s teeth both in top health, and looking fresher and brighter. The first stage of the cleaning procedure involves scraping away any superficial stains or tartar and plaque from the patient’s teeth – particularly in the more difficult to reach spaces which are commonly missed when regularly brushing. After this has finished there is the ‘polish’ section of the procedure, whereby the patient’s teeth are professionally polished using hand operated dentistry equipment. This removes any excess plaque and leaves them with a brighter, shinier, cleaner and most importantly, healthier smile.

Would you consider yourself as one of many nervous patients in Guildford?

Within the field of dentistry, many nervous patients may hold the common misconception that dental anxiety is only experienced by patients of a young age. Despite this misconception however dental anxiety can be experienced by adults of all ages, and consequently, therefore, in all walks of life! With this variety in mind, therefore, dental anxiety can be triggered by a multitude of factors, arguably the most common however is unpleasant childhood experiences within a dental environment.

What triggers dental anxiety for nervous patients in Guildford?

Dental anxiety can come in all forms and therefore range greatly in regards to its severity, despite this, however, arguably the most common cause is unpleasant dental memories experienced at a very young age for many individuals.

So… What’s the solution for nervous patients in Guildford?

Many nervous patients may see no solution, they may therefore be tempted to refrain from paying a visit to our clinic at all, however, this can have a massively negative effect on a patient’s oral health. Many patients’ may have solidified their anxiety by experiencing negative visits within their adult life, at our Farnham Road dental practice however we wish to make our nervous patients feel as comfortable as possible within the walls of our modern and friendly dental clinic!

Did you know?

Many nervous patients may feel more comfortable after having familiarized themselves with our clinic, familiarity does breed content after all! With this familiarity in mind, therefore, we choose to display a selective array of clinic photographs on our modern and easily accessible dental website. We believe these photographs can make our nervous patients feel far more comfortable prior to their visit to our clinic however we understand that we may need to do more to ensure our patients feel happy when seeing a member of our dental specialist team.

Ensuring our patients feel as comfortable as possible within the walls of our dental clinic

In addition to providing our new patients with a wide array of practice photographs, we also offer all of our nervous individuals an initial consultation where they can express any burning queries, questions or dental concerns they may have regarding their scheduled dental appointment. In addition to a comforting initial consultation however, we also offer nervous patients a detailed phone call where they can receive answers to any queries they may have from our friendly team of dental healthcare professionals.

Our approach..

We believe our attentive dental healthcare team can make our patients feel as comfortable as possible when receiving treatment from us, with this in mind, therefore, we choose to display a wide variety of contact details on our website to ensure even our busiest of patients can receive the comfort they need before attending an appointment at our clinic.

How to get in touch before your scheduled appointment

Located on our website we not only display our direct telephone number, our exact geographical location, in addition to our precise opening hours, however, we also display our email address in addition to an online form which allows our nervous patients to request an appointment online.