Category: Emergency Dentist

COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of our lives – and, unfortunately, dental care is no exception.

Procedures require very close contact between the dentist and the patient, and many of our high-speed tools create an airborne spray containing the patient’s saliva. This spray can easily spread the virus, which is why UK dental practices have now been told to stop all routine dental treatments.

Here at Kiln Lane Dental, the safety of our patients and staff is paramount. We must do everything we possibly can to halt the spread of the disease and, in line with government guidance, we are now closed until further notice. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to help our patients.

These are unprecedented times, and you’re bound to have many questions about dental care and oral health needs during the lockdown. Here we try to answer just a few of these questions.

Can I attend my routine check-up appointment?

Unfortunately, no – this won’t be possible.

COVID-19 has an incubation period of up to 14 days or more. Even if you do not currently have any symptoms, there’s a chance you could still pass the virus on to the dentist and other patients. Therefore, all ‘non-urgent’ routine dental care has now been stopped until further notice.

If you have an appointment scheduled in the next three weeks, don’t worry – this has been cancelled automatically. There’s no need to call us, and you should not attempt to attend the practice. Once the government restrictions have been lifted – and it’s safe for us to resume normal check-ups and treatments – we will be in touch to re-arrange your appointment as soon as possible.

What if I have a dental issue?

We are now only allowed to go outside when it’s absolutely essential. Therefore, if you start to experience a minor dental issue, you should try to manage the problem without leaving your home.

To help reduce mild dental pain, we recommend taking a combination of over-the-counter painkillers, including paracetamol and ibuprofen. Anaesthetic gels can be very helpful. Or, you could try using a basic saltwater rinse. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Swish the rinse around your mouth for a few seconds and try to hold it over the affected area. Not only will this help to reduce dental bacteria, it will also promote healing and help to ease discomfort.

If your symptoms are severe, you can either call NHS 111 or contact our practice. We are currently operating a telephone triage service, whereby the dentist will listen to your concerns and try to resolve the dental issue by offering advice or by prescribing mild analgesics or antimicrobials.

Emergency dentist appointments are still available for:

– severe and persistent dental pain (that cannot be controlled with painkillers)

– facial swelling

– trauma

– uncontrollable bleeding

But we are trying to avoid these as much as possible. They will only be offered to patients with urgent dental needs (which cannot be provided remotely) and, to attend the practice, you mustn’t be showing any symptoms of COVID-19 – including a dry, persistent cough or high temperature.

It’s also important to note that, under the new government guidelines, minimal use of ‘spray-producing’ tools (e.g. drills, scalers etc.) has been advised. This means we may be restricted in the treatments that we can offer. But rest assured, if you do attend an emergency appointment, we will do everything we can to help relieve the pain and resolve your dental issue.

How can I look after my teeth during the pandemic?

Good oral hygiene practise is now, arguably, more important than ever.

To reduce the chance of dental issues during the lockdown, it’s vital that you brush and floss twice daily. But remember, never share your toothbrush or dental floss with anyone else in the household, as this is an easy way for the virus to spread. For the same reason, you should also store your toothbrush safely on its own, perhaps using a plastic case to cover the toothbrush head.

For further advice and tips, check out our recent blog ‘How to keep your teeth and mouth healthy’.

Get in touch for emergencies ONLY

In these most unusual circumstances – and with your health and wellbeing in mind – we are urging patients to stay at home and stay safe. However, if you are suffering from severe symptoms and wish to book an appointment with our emergency dentist in St Helens, please feel free to get in touch. Simply give us a call on 01744 25776 and follow the advice.

We appreciate your co-operation during these difficult times and look forward to welcoming you back to Kiln Lane Dental once normality resumes.

 

Dental emergencies can be scary and painful – and to make a full recovery, it’s important to seek professional help as quickly as possible. This is why we offer same-day appointments, here at Kiln Lane Dental. We’re proud to be one of the leading emergency dentists in St Helens and we strive to help everyone with an urgent dental problem.

What is a dental emergency?

Generally speaking, a dental emergency is something that requires immediate action – something that can’t wait until your next routine check-up. They’re usually caused by an accident or injury and, as such, may involve severe pain, excessive bleeding and damage to one or more teeth.

Our team of emergency dentists in St Helens can help with:

Extreme toothache

Mild or intermittent toothache doesn’t count as an emergency. But if the pain is severe, and cannot be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, it may be time to contact our specialist dentists.

Dental avulsion

If a tooth has been completely knocked out of its socket, you must seek immediate help. Time is of the essence in this situation, as tissue, blood vessels and nerves are all exposed to potential damage.

A loose tooth

A wobbly or dislodged tooth can be caused by physical trauma or dental infection. To give the tooth the best chance of survival, you should book an appointment as soon as possible.

Missing crowns and fillings

If you’ve lost a crown or filling, the tooth below can become very sensitive. This sensitivity can be painful and therefore, in most cases, it’s worth paying our dental team a visit.

Fractures

A small chip in the enamel of a tooth isn’t an emergency. But a fracture suggests that damage has occurred to the inside of the tooth, as well as the outside, and you should seek urgent help.

What should I do in a dental emergency?

First things first, try not to worry. Yes, dental emergencies can be traumatic, but – with the help of a professional – they can be sorted and panicking will only make the situation worse.

Depending on the nature of the issue, there are certain things that you can do immediately to help. For example, if you are bleeding, place a gauze or absorbent material (e.g. handkerchief, tissue) over the area and apply pressure to stem the blood flow. If your tooth is loose or has come completely out of its socket, clean it thoroughly and – if possible – put it gently back in place.

Painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can be taken to ease the initial pain. It’s also a good idea to apply a cold compress to help reduce soreness and swelling. Then, once the situation is under control, you should contact an emergency dentist in St Helens as soon as possible.

How do I get a dental emergency appointment?

If you experience a serious dental problem out of hours, services can be provided by NHS England. Either call your dental practice or NHS 111 for advice on how to get urgent care in your area.

For dental emergencies in ‘regular’ working hours, things are a little easier. Most dental practices, including Kiln Lane Dental, offer same-day emergency appointments. We’re a well-known emergency dentist in St Helens and we make time in our busy schedule for people who need urgent help. Just give our team a call and we will do everything in our power to see you at short notice.

When are emergency dentist appointments available?

As a leading emergency dentist in St Helens, we offer emergency appointments every weekday during our normal working hours. This could be between 8.30am-6.45pm, depending on the specific day and the current availability of our dentists. We always try to fit you in as quickly as possible and, in most cases, this will be within the next 24 hours – at a time that is convenient for you.

Even during unusual circumstances – such as the COVID-19 lockdown of late – emergency dentist appointments are still available for severe dental pain (that cannot be controlled with painkillers), facial swelling, trauma, and uncontrollable bleeding.

However, these appointments must be booked in advance and you will need to be triaged (via telephone) to establish if it’s possible for you to visit the practice. We may also be restricted in the equipment that we can use (e.g. drills, water scalers). In line with government guidance, we have to protect the safety of you, other patients, staff and the wider community. But, rest assured, we will do everything we can to help resolve the issue and ensure you leave the appointment relieved of pain.

Do I need to be registered at the dental practice?

No. Unlike many other emergency dentists in St Helens, we’re happy to accept both registered and non-registered patients. If you’re suffering from a sudden and painful dental problem, we aim to fit you in the same day and will try to fix the problem as soon as possible.

How much does an emergency dentist in St Helens cost?

An emergency appointment at Kiln Lane Dental costs £60, plus the cost of any treatments required. However, by subscribing to one of our membership plans, it’s possible to receive a same-day emergency assessment – completely free of charge. These plans give you priority access to our emergency dentists in St Helens. You will be seen within 24 hours and all temporary treatments (including prescriptions for antibiotics) are included in your normal monthly cost.

What happens at an emergency dentist appointment?

Our emergency dentists in St Helens aim to provide fast, short-term relief for severe tooth pain or damage. We start the appointment by conducting a thorough examination of your teeth – and, based on what we find, we will then decide on the best course of action for your specific issue.

This could simply be advice. We may just explain how to manage the issue at home and suggest a second ‘check-up’ appointment in the near future. But if necessary, we will either temporarily fix the tooth there-and-then or extract it completely. In some cases, pain relief and antibiotics will be prescribed and we may refer you to a specialist dentist for further treatment.

Why choose us as your emergency dental clinic in St Helens?

Kiln Lane Dental is an established and experienced dental clinic. We have a history of success, particularly when it comes to dental emergencies, and our team of emergency dentists in St Helens can provide the high-quality dental treatment that you need – when you need it the most.

So why not get in touch today? If you’re in need of a St Helens based emergency dentist, give us a call on 01744 25776 to book your same-day appointment. Alternatively, send an email to info@kilnlanedental.co.uk and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.