Patients of the clinic needing care outside clinical hours can contact Mr Dadswell on 07798 701841 (a telephone call charge applies). For NHS emergency care, call 111. See opening hours.
Toothache from a cavity
If you have a tooth with a hole in it that aches and is sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks, as a temporary measure try painkillers and oil of cloves. If you are unsure which painkillers to take, speak to a pharmacist and always follow the manufacturer's instructions. We would advise you see a professional for an expert opinion.
Oil of cloves can be bought from most pharmacies. Dilute it in cooking oil, dip a small bud of cotton wool or tissue in it and gently push it into the hole in your tooth. It must be placed within the tooth: placing it anywhere else may damage your gums. If in doubt, do nothing except use painkillers and see a dentist. Oil of cloves will do little to help a tooth with a dental abscess.
Dental abscess
If it hurts when you touch or bite on a tooth, but cold food and drinks do not cause pain, the tooth may have died and an infection may be developing around the tip of the root. This usually escalates into a very painful abscess. Don't wait: seek emergency dental care as soon as possible, privately or through the NHS.
Swollen face
If you have a facial swelling caused by a dental problem, seek emergency care via NHS 111, your local dental triage number, or the clinic. If you feel the swelling is affecting your breathing, or you have a temperature and feel unwell, contact NHS 111 or go to your local Accident & Emergency department.
Prolonged bleeding after an extraction or surgery
Apply pressure with a moist, clean cloth directly over the socket for 10 to 15 minutes and the bleeding should stop. It is usual for a socket to ooze blood for up to 48 hours. If pressure does not control it and your mouth fills with blood so that you are spitting into a sink that fills with blood, this is an emergency: contact your surgeon or NHS 111, or go directly to A&E.
Which painkillers?
Examples of analgesics are aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol and codeine. It is very uncommon to need very strong painkillers for dental pain: one or a combination of these can usually control the pain until you can be seen. Always follow the instructions in the packaging, ask a pharmacist for the most suitable option for you, and never exceed the recommended dose, as incorrect use can cause irreversible damage to your internal organs.
Dental pain is debilitating, causing sleep deprivation. Pain killer tablets are a temporary solution; some sort of treatment is usually required. I was involved in the pilots when emergency dental clinics were set up, which has given me insight into the best empathetic approaches to stop dental pain. If you're anxious and putting off visiting the dentist, please don't suffer any longer: contact the surgery and we can help.