Who to contact out of hours?

We endeavour to treat emergency cases on the same day.If you require urgent attention, please contact us as early as possible so we can make arrangements to get you seen.

Outside surgery hours your emergency will be directed to Derby Emergency Dental Services on 111.

Advice & Triage

A dental emergency can sometimes be potentially serious and should not be ignored.

Ignoring a dental problem, like an injury to the teeth or gums, can increase the risk of permanent damage and a need for potentially more extensive and expensive treatment later. Below you will find some common dental problems and a summary of advice for what you should do...

Toothache

First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. See your dentist as soon as possible.

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Chipped or broken tooth

First, save any chipped or broken pieces you can and rinse them with warm water. You may also rinse your mouth with warm water if necessary.

If there's bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area until the bleeding stops. This can take around 10 minutes. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain.

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Knocked-out tooth

If you are sure it’s a baby tooth, it doesn’t need replanting.

Knocked-out teeth have the highest chances of being saved if they are seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.

In order to save your tooth, you must retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the bulky part that is usually visible in the mouth) and gently rinse the pointy root with water. Try to avoid touching the pointy root and do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place in the socket. Make sure it's facing the right way- the smooth surface facing out of the mouth Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt if milk is not available).

We belong to the charity  Dental Trauma UK, please click on this link to get advice and watch videos to help you.

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If you are considering joining the practice, or you want to learn more about a specific treatment such as Invisalign® teeth straightening, you can book a consultation online now…

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Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth

Contact us immediately.

Until you can get to the Practice, to relieve pain you can apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area.

Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed.

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Objects caught between teeth

First, try using dental floss to remove the object very gently and carefully. If you cannot get the object out, see your dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object, as these instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface.

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Lost fillings or Crowns

If you have lost a filling, as a temporary measure, stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity (sugar-filled gum will cause pain), or use an over-the-counter dental cement and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.


If a crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the crown with you.

If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth. Before doing so, coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. Do not use super glue!

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Book a Consultation at Delph Dental Practice

If you are considering joining the practice, or you want to learn more about a specific treatment such as Invisalign® teeth straightening, you can book a consultation online now…

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Broken braces or wires

If a wire breaks, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or a piece of gauze until you can get to the Practice. Never cut the wire, as you could end up breathing it into your lungs or swallowing it.

If a bracket comes away from your tooth during treatment, please contact your orthodontist. Usually, the bracket will stay attached to the wire and can be left until your next appointment, unless causing irritation. If the bracket does come away from the wire, please keep it safe and bring it with you to your next appointment.

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Abscess

Abscesses are infections that occur between the teeth and gums or around the root of a tooth. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage your tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated. Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, please contact us as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum.

To ease any pain and draw the pus toward the surface, try rinsing your mouth with a mild saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day.

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Soft tissue injuries

Injuries to the soft tissues, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips, can result in bleeding. Here's what to do to control the bleeding:

  • Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution.

  • Use a wet piece of gauze or tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding site. Hold for 15 to 20 minutes.

  • To both control the bleeding and relieve any pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.

  • If the bleeding will not stop, contact us right away or go to a hospital emergency department. Continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until you can be seen and treated.

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