Dental Emergencies In Westport

If you are experiencing a toothache, it’s best to rinse the mouth with warm water first to clean it out thoroughly. Use desensitising toothpaste and gently use some dental floss to remove stubborn food or debris between the teeth. If the pain persists, a suitable over-the-counter pain relief remedy can help to ease discomfort, as recommended by your pharmacist. It is also important to book an appointment with your dentist who will be able to examine the sore tooth.

If pain relief does not subsidise your pain or if mild swelling occurs and you cannot attend your dentist, you should contact your local out-of-hours dentist or local GP. In cases of extreme swelling which affects the airways or swelling combined with a raised temperature, please get in touch with your local emergency department.

Retrieve the lost tooth and call your local emergency dentist or emergency department straight away to arrange an emergency dental appointment. You should hold the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the root.

Place the tooth in milk, or carry it in your mouth between your teeth and the inside of your cheek. If stored correctly, and the tooth that has been knocked out is an adult tooth, there is a chance that the tooth can be replanted in the gum. Do not store the tooth in regular tap water or mineral water.

When a tooth is knocked out, or you experience dental trauma, look immediately for any symptoms of severe head injury such as bleeding from the nose or ears. It is also essential to check the tongue, cheek or jaw for lacerations. If any of these symptoms are present, call 112 or 999 immediately.

If you chip your tooth, it’s important to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If you cannot be seen immediately or if your emergency is out of hours and the sharpness of the broken tooth is causing pain or an ulcer to the tongue, then a temporary filling can be used until you can visit your dentist.

You can purchase temporary filling material at your local pharmacy. Dry your tooth with a cotton bud and place the filling material over the surface that is exposed. Take regular painkillers if you need them. Maintain good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet to prevent any decay from occurring or existing decay from getting worse. If you have a nightguard, make sure you wear it at night time to separate your teeth and to help ensure your tooth does not break any further during the night.

If the chipped tooth starts to change colour, it could be a sign of nerve damage. Even if it is a baby tooth, it is best to visit the dentist to ensure that your child’s adult teeth will not be affected in the future.

• Dublin Dental Hospital: (01) 6127391
• VHI SwiftCare Dundrum: (01) 4482450
• St James’s Hospital A&E: (01) 4103000

• Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Co. Offaly: (057) 932 1501
• Midoc: 1850 302 702
• Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Co. Meath: (046) 9078770
• Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny: (056) 7785000

• Cork university Dental School & Hospital: (021) 4901100
• University Hospital Limerick: (061) 301 111
• Caredoc: 0818 300 365 or (059) 913 8100
• Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Co. Offaly: (057) 932 1501

• University College Galway: (091) 524222
• Westdoc: 1850 365 000