The festive season is a time for celebration and joy, but it can also be a time when dental emergencies strike unexpectedly. Here at Brixworth Dental Practice we do try our best to see all dental emergencies as soon as we can however during the Christmas period this is not always possible. Whether it’s a throbbing tooth ache, a broken crown or a lost filling, dental issues can put a damper on your festive plan. We’ve looked at some common dental emergencies that may occur during Christmas and with that our team have provided some home remedies and pain relief tips to help you manage these situations until you are able to make an appointment with us.
Toothache can be excruciating, while it’s important to see your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment, here are some home remedies to provide temporary relief:
• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater
• Use over the counter pain relief (being sure to follow instructions)
• Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
Accidents happen, and a broken or chipped tooth can be painful or distressing. Here are a few ways on how to handle this situation at home:
• Save any broken pieces of the tooth
• Rinse your mouth and tooth with warm water
• Apply dental wax to cover any sharp edges
• Take over the counter pain relief if needed
Losing a filling or a crown can expose sensitive tooth tissue. Until you can see your dentist, try the following:
• Place a temporary dental filling material (available at pharmacies) into the cavity
• Avoid chewing on the affected tooth
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep it clean.
Gum abscesses can be painful and alarming. You can ease the discomfort and help reduce infection with these steps:
• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater several times a day
• Use over the counter pain relief
• Do not try to drain the abscess yourself; seek professional dental care when convenient
Dental emergencies during the Christmas period can be stressful and ultimately knowing how to handle them can make a significant difference. Whilst you may be able to relieve discomfort temporarily with different techniques, it’s essential to contact us here at the practice when convenient to address any underlying issues. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene, avoid hard or sticky good and be cautious when opening gifts or indulging in holiday treats to minimise the risk of the dental emergencies during the festive time.
For severe dental emergencies for example uncontrollable bleeding or swelling, we do have an out of hours emergency contact number, however we would like to make all patients aware that there is £250 for a call out and this excludes any additional treatment fee that may be required. We would also like to add that 111 or A&E are available for extreme dental emergencies such heavy persistent bleeding and trauma cases.
Here at Brixworth Dental Practice, we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!
Emergency contact number: 07483445508
