| Severe Toothache |
Intense, persistent pain, possible swelling, sensitivity to temperature, difficulty chewing |
Diagnosis of cause (decay, infection, fracture), root canal therapy, extraction if necessary, antibiotics for infection |
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen (follow package instructions), avoid hot/cold foods, use clove oil on affected area, rinse with warm saltwater |
High - Same day appointment recommended |
| Dental Abscess |
Severe throbbing pain, facial swelling, fever, tender lymph nodes, bad taste, sensitivity to pressure |
Drainage of abscess, root canal therapy, extraction if necessary, antibiotics, possible referral to specialist |
Take prescribed painkillers, rinse with warm saltwater, avoid hot foods, apply cold compress to reduce swelling (outside of mouth) |
Very High - Immediate attention required (can be life-threatening if infection spreads) |
| Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsion) |
Complete displacement of tooth from socket, bleeding, pain |
Reimplantation of tooth, splinting to adjacent teeth, possible root canal therapy |
Handle tooth by crown only, rinse gently with milk or saline (do not scrub), try to reinsert in socket or store in milk/saline solution, seek care within 30-60 minutes for best chance of saving tooth |
Very High - Emergency treatment within 1 hour maximizes chances of saving tooth |
| Broken or Chipped Tooth |
Visible damage to tooth, possible pain, sensitivity, sharp edges |
Dental bonding, crown, veneer, or extraction depending on severity |
Rinse mouth with warm water, apply cold compress for swelling, cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free chewing gum, take over-the-counter pain relief |
Moderate to High - Same day or next day depending on pain and extent of damage |
| Lost Filling or Crown |
Missing restoration, sensitivity, discomfort, visible hole in tooth |
New filling placement, new crown fabrication and cementation |
For lost crowns: clean crown, apply dental cement from pharmacy to tooth and place crown back if possible; for lost fillings: use temporary dental filling material; avoid chewing on affected side |
Moderate - Within 48 hours |
| Dental Trauma |
Injury to teeth, gums, or jaw from accident or impact, bleeding, broken teeth, jaw pain |
Assessment of damage, treatment of specific injuries, possible splinting of loose teeth, pain management |
Apply pressure to bleeding areas with gauze, apply cold compress, take pain relief, avoid disturbing injured area |
High - Same day appointment recommended |
| Post-Extraction Complications |
Dry socket (severe pain 2-3 days after extraction), excessive bleeding, severe swelling |
Cleaning of socket, medicated dressing placement, antibiotics if infected, additional surgery if needed |
For bleeding: bite on clean gauze for 30 minutes; for dry socket: take prescribed pain medication; for swelling: apply ice pack; avoid smoking, drinking through straws, spitting |
High - Same day appointment recommended |
| Facial Swelling with Breathing/Swallowing Difficulty |
Severe swelling affecting airway, difficulty breathing or swallowing, fever |
Emergency hospital referral, IV antibiotics, surgical drainage, airway management |
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately - this is a medical emergency that requires hospital treatment |
Critical - Immediate medical attention required (not dental) |
| Orthodontic Emergencies |
Broken braces, protruding wires, severe discomfort |
Repair or adjustment of orthodontic appliances, wire trimming or replacement |
Cover protruding wires with orthodontic wax, avoid hard foods, take over-the-counter pain relief |
Low to Moderate - Within 24-72 hours depending on discomfort |
| Soft Tissue Injuries |
Cuts or lacerations to gums, cheeks, lips, or tongue, bleeding |
Cleaning of wound, possible suturing, antibiotics if necessary |
Apply pressure with clean gauze, rinse with warm saltwater, apply cold compress to reduce swelling |
Moderate to High - Same day for significant injuries |
| Wisdom Tooth Pain |
Pain at back of mouth, swelling, difficulty opening mouth, bad taste/breath |
Antibiotics for infection, pain management, possible extraction once infection subsides |
Take over-the-counter pain relief, rinse with warm saltwater, avoid hard foods, maintain good oral hygiene |
Moderate - Within 24-48 hours |
