Seeking Emergency Dental Care
In emergencies we promise to see you as soon as possible. Contacting us before 10 am helps us to ensure you are seen that day. Even if you have not been to our practice before, and are looking for emergency dental treatment in Wantage and Oxfordshire, we will do our best to help.
Outside normal surgery hours we are committed to the Oxford private out of hours dental service, offering weekend and holiday emergency dental treatment and advice between the hours of 9am and 5pm (call out fee may apply to reopen surgery, free advice over telephone).
If you need our help, call the practice on 01235 763322. Out of hours this will provide the current number to ring to be put through to the dentist on call.
We are not involved with the local NHS out of hours emergency services but all patients are entitled to contact them on 0845 3458995
Some general information is given below on dental emergencies. We advise you to contact us for personal care and advice.
Advice on dental emergencies
Tooth ache
Persistent pain of any nature should be checked by your dentist. Constant, severe pain usually indicates that a tooth is dying or infected. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain killers as advised by a pharmacist can help and avoid any precipitating factors - e.g. chewing hard foods or hot or cold drinks if this hurts. In all cases it is best to gets things checked as soon as possible.
Swollen face
This is usually caused by infection and treatment will be required. Contact the practice without delay. In the rare event a swelling in your mouth has become so large it is becoming seriously difficult to swallow or breathe, contact us immediately or the accident and emergency department of your local hospital if during night-time hours.
Broken tooth or filling
If the tooth is painful, avoid eating very hot or cold foods and chewing on that side. Painkillers may help. Contact the surgery to have the tooth assessed without too much delay as this may increase the risk of further damage to the tooth and possibly the nerve inside.
My crown/bridge has come off
The tooth may be sensitive to temperature so avoid very hot or cold drinks. Avoid eating on that side so food does not get trapped in the gum which can cause discomfort. Keep the crown/bridge safe and bring it to your dentist, it should be recemented to avoid further damage to the underlying tooth and nerve.
Bleeding after an extraction
Ensure you are following all post-operative advice. Avoid physical activity. Apply constant pressure to the wound with the gauze your dentist has supplied. a clean piece of cotton or (although it may sound strange) a wet teabag. Do not dab the wound but keep firm pressure on it for 10 - 15minutes. If after this you are still concerned, contact the surgery.
Pain after an extraction
A little pain and swelling following tooth extraction can usually be controlled by over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen/paracetamol). An ice pack applied to your face over the area may provide some additional relief. Ensure you avoid smoking and follow the post-operative advice given by your dentist. If you experience unusually severe pain not helped by these measures, or, which persist after a few days, please contact the surgery.
Broken denture
Broken dentures can usually be repaired and we have arrangements with local laboratories to have this done as quickly as possible. Contact the practice to arrange an appointment as sometimes it is necessary to take an impression of your mouth so that the broken parts can be reliably relocated. If you live close by you may wish to call in during our opening hours, if a clinician is free they will check what needs to be done, however you may need to come back if an impression is needed or we are very busy. Contacting us early will allow us to get a repair organised as quick as possible for you.
Tooth knocked out
The tooth needs to be reimplanted as soon as possible. Immediately call us for an emergency appointment. Avoid touching the root to prevent microscopic damage to where the bone attaches. If the tooth is visibly dirty, rinse it gently with water but do not scrub. If you can, replace the tooth back in the socket and hold there until you see us. If this is difficult keep the tooth in iced milk.
Tooth pushed out of position
Attempt to gently reposition the tooth with very light finger pressure. Avoid eating and contact us.
