HDG NEWS
The 6 Most Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them
1st June 2025
If you’re suffering from dental pain in Hertford or Ware – Hertfordshire Dental Group are here to help. Our practices are open 5 days a week with dedicated emergency appointments available to ensure you get the care you need - fast. Even when we’re closed, we have an on-call system in place – simply call 01920 897678 and use the telephone number provided on the answer machine.
If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies as a dental emergency or need tips on managing pain until you can see a dentist, keep reading. We’ll help you determine the best course of action - whether that’s visiting a pharmacy, booking a dental appointment, or seeking urgent hospital treatment for severe cases.
To help, we’ve put together a list of the leading causes of dental emergencies in the UK, along with our top tips to help you handle them effectively (some of which may surprise you!).
1. Toothache
Toothache is often regarded as one of the most intense types of pain, given its proximity to major nerve centres in the head. It affects people of all ages and can range from a mild, lingering ache to sharp, sudden discomfort. The pain may also radiate to the ear or sinuses, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact source.
Why is toothache worse at night?
Toothache often feels worse at night because lying down increases blood flow to the head, intensifying pressure on sensitive nerves. With fewer distractions, pain also becomes more noticeable.
What can I do to ease my toothache?
Recognising how to soothe an aggravated tooth nerve can spare you the inconvenience of missing work or interrupting a well-earned holiday. Here are some quick relief strategies that can help keep discomfort at bay:
Rinse with Warm Salt Water - This can help clean the area and reduce inflammation.
Use a Cold Compress – If you have swelling to the face, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes to numb the pain and reduce inflammation.
Take Pain Relief - Painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can also help – your pharmacist will be able to advise on over the counter remedies in the short term.
Use Clove Oil – Oil of Cloves is a natural remedy that may help relieve pain temporarily thanks to its active ingredient, eugenol, which is a natural anaesthetic. Apply a small amount of the diluted clove oil directly to the affected area using a cotton bud.
Book a Dentist Appointment – Get in touch with us as soon as possible for an emergency appointment.
Above all, it is important that you attend regular dental health check-ups, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and cut down on sugary foods to help your teeth remain healthy and pain-free.
2. Lost Filling or Crown
If you’ve lost a filling, crown or bridge, don’t panic. Try and keep it safe and don’t attempt any sort of DIY dentistry to stick it back in position! Keep calm and consider following these steps:
Book a Dentist Appointment – Call us as soon as possible so we can get you in for an emergency appointment to prevent complications. If you can, bring your crown/bridge/filling with you.
Avoid Chewing on That Side – This prevents further damage or discomfort.
Rinse with Warm Salt Water – This helps keep the area clean and reduces irritation. We recommend 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water.
Use Temporary Dental Cement – Available at pharmacies, it can help protect the exposed tooth until you get professional care.
3. Abscesses
A dental abscess is a painful build up of pus caused by a bacterial infection, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. There are 2 main types of dental abscess:
Periapical abscess – Forms at the tip of a tooth’s root, often due to untreated decay or injury.
Periodontal abscess – Develops in the gums or surrounding bone, usually due to gum disease.
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as swelling, redness, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, and intense toothache or fever, it’s important to take the following steps:
See a Dentist ASAP – A dentist will likely drain the abscess, prescribe antibiotics if needed, and may perform a root canal or extraction.
Take Pain Relief – Painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can provide temporary relief (but avoid aspirin for children under 16).
Minimise Irritation – Avoid hot, cold, or sugary foods, as they can heighten sensitivity. Alcohol and tobacco can also aggravate the affected area, slowing healing.
Use a Soft Toothbrush – Be gentle around the affected area.
If you experience severe swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing you should go to hospital right away.
4. Knocked Out Tooth
Accidents, falls, and sports injuries are among the most common causes of dental trauma, often leading to knocked out teeth. The steps you take immediately after such an injury are crucial in determining the success of recovery and treatment.
What do I do if I’ve knocked out a tooth?
If an adult tooth is completely knocked out, it’s crucial to act quickly, as the sooner it’s reimplanted, the better our odds are of saving it. Here’s what you should do:
Call a dentist – Ring us immediately so that we can book you into the next available emergency appointment. If we can, we’ll try and see you within an hour of the injury taking place to maximise our chances of successfully reinstating the tooth.
Handle with Care – Always hold the tooth by the crown (top part), not the root. Touching the root can damage delicate cells needed for reattachment.
Rinse Gently – Clean the tooth using cold running water to remove debris, but avoid scrubbing, which can harm the root structure.
Keep It Moist – The tooth must not dry out. If possible, reposition it back into its socket and gently bite down on soft material to hold it in place.
If reinserting isn’t an option, store the tooth in milk or tuck it inside the cheek to keep it moist.
What if a baby tooth is knocked out?
If a child’s tooth is knocked out, do not attempt to reinsert it, as there is a risk of swallowing. The child should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible to ensure no fragments remain in the mouth.
5. Broken or Chipped Tooth
Whether caused by biting something hard or an accident, a broken or chipped tooth can be painful and needs swift dental attention to prevent further damage. Here’s what we recommend:
Rinse Your Mouth – Use warm water to gently clean the area and remove any loose fragments.
Use Temporary Filling Material – Many pharmacies sell temporary dental repair kits that can help cover the broken section until you see a dentist.
Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods – Eating tough or chewy foods can worsen the damage or cause discomfort.
See a Dentist Promptly – Minor chips can often be smoothed out, while larger fractures may require a filling, crown, or other restoration.
Seeking professional care as soon as possible helps prevent further complications.
6. Lost or Broken Invisalign Aligner
If you've lost or broken your Invisalign aligner, please contact the practice as soon as possible. We can arrange for a replacement to be ordered immediately. You won’t need to attend the practice, and we can process this even if you're abroad.
In the meantime, wear your previous stage aligner to help maintain your progress and prevent any relapse in tooth movement.
At Hertfordshire Dental Group, our experienced team has spent years saving smiles and relieving patients from debilitating dental pain. Whether it's a toothache, injury, abscess, or a lost crown or filling, our practices in Hertford and Ware are fully equipped with the latest technology to ensure prompt and effective treatment.
Prevention is always better than cure, so maintaining a strong oral health routine and taking precautions - such as wearing a mouthguard during sports - can help protect your teeth and avoid emergencies.
Don’t let dental pain hold you back from enjoying life - our friendly team is here to help. Call us today on 01920 898712 and take the first step towards relief, comfort, and a healthier smile.
