Experience intolerable toothache is terrifying; even worse if you are scrambling to find an emergency dentist in Bournemouth that can administer urgent dental treatments.

But how can you differentiate between issues that need immediate medical attention by Hannah and our dental team and problems that can wait another day?

Scenario One: Pain

Experiencing tenderness is a symptom of an unhealthy mouth. There are two types of pain which you should never ignore; soreness that occurs without warning and recurring pain that increases in intensity over time.

Painkillers, like Ibuprofen, might provide you with temporary relief, but ultimately you will need to see us to find the source of your pain and treat it accordingly.

Avoiding seeing the emergency dentist in Bournemouth is never advised because it could result in you losing a natural tooth!

Scenario Two: profuse bleeding

Mouth injuries are typically accompanied by bleeding. In most cases, you should see your nearest dental clinic anyway to assess the damage caused by a hard impact to the mouth, but the need is more pressing if you continue to bleed.

Finding blood in your saliva is also concerning as it could be early signs of bodily illnesses, such as cancer.

While gums that bleed easily are not necessarily regarded as a medical emergency, you could have Gingivitis, which can lead to severe conditions if left untreated. We advise that you see us as soon as possible if you suspect you have problems with your gums!

Scenario Three: You have knocked out or fractured your tooth

Eating something hard might lead to a broken tooth if you are not careful! If this happens to you, you will need to see our dentist urgent to save your tooth.

The first hour after losing it is crucial because the longer the tooth is out of place, the less likely it can be salvaged.

There are certain things you can do to better your chances if you cannot see the dental practitioner straightaway.

1. Pick up the tooth root side up and clean it with spit, before repositioning it in the socket.
2. If the above is not possible, place the tooth in your cheek, or milk but not water.

Prevention is the best cure

Dental emergencies are never fun. However, for the most part, they can be prevented if you take better care of your teeth.

Despite there being so much information on dental hygiene, most people have not mastered the basics and do not put enough time and energy into their teeth-cleaning.

Brush twice daily for two to three minutes, followed by vigorous flossing and rinsing with a mouthwash. Simply brushing is not good enough to remove harmful germs and you are bound to experience dental issues down the line.

Finally, see your dentist twice a year. These routine checkups might seem unnecessary to you, but essential in keeping your mouth healthy and germ-free. During these appointments, small issues are diagnosed before they get worse.

Prepare for the worst

No one can predict dental emergencies, but that does not mean you should not prepare for them ahead of time..

Find a dentist who can fit you in on the same day of the accident or pain occurring. You should also seek out an oral health provider that provides after-hour services while offering top-quality care.

Need an emergency dentist in Bournemouth? We can help!