November 21

Can I Go to A&E with a Tooth Problem?

Here’s the quick answer to the question, “Can I Go to A&E with a Tooth Problem?”

In short, unless your face has swollen, causing difficulty breathing, or your fever is over 38,5 AND you’re having a toothache, you shouldn’t be going to the A&E.

Here’s some more detail on the matter

We all know that toothache is amongst the worst kind of pain a person can experience. It can quite literally be debilitating, preventing you from doing the most normal of activities, such as eating or drinking.

I’ll go as far as to say that sometimes, thinking can be hard when you have tooth pain.

As unfortunate as this condition may be. However, a visit to the A&E can sometimes be a worse thing to do, as you may end up spending hours upon hours in the waiting room with no one to see you.

To explain this, we have to cover some facts.

Understanding Dental Emergencies Suitable for A&E

A&E departments are designed to handle life-threatening conditions and severe injuries.

While they are equipped to manage medical emergencies, not all dental issues fall under this category. It’s essential to differentiate between dental problems that require immediate medical attention because they’re considered life-threatening and those better suited for dental clinics.

When to Visit A&E for Dental Issues

You should consider going to A&E if you experience:

Heavy Bleeding: If you had a dental trauma or even sudden dental bleeding and it hasn’t stopped after 15 minutes of applying pressure to the source, then go to Accidents and Emergency in the nearest hospital.

Severe Swelling: If your face, mouth, or neck are so swollen that you’re struggling to breathe, even if caused by a tooth, this has escalated beyond a dental emergency.

Trauma: This might be difficult to judge, but if you’ve experienced an injury to the face, mouth, or teeth, a lost tooth is the least of your worries. Before you decide if you should visit a dentist or the A&E, check how you feel. Dizziness, nausea, loss of awareness or feeling that you need to nap shortly after the injury should take you to the hospital.
If none of these symptoms is present, you can give us a call.
Dr Boulis, our Principal Dentist, has recently completed his 1000th dental trauma case, meaning that he has now helped over 1000 people save a tooth after trauma. This makes him one of the most experienced dental trauma specialists in the UK and perhaps in the world.

High Fever with Dental Pain: A high temperature alongside dental pain, indicating a possible spreading infection.

These situations are considered medical emergencies and warrant immediate attention at A&E. This information is taken from the NHS website and interpreted by us. If in doubt, call 111 for additional information. [reference 1]

When Not to Visit A&E for Dental Issues

Here’s a list of dental problems that are not life-threatening and for which the A&E is not the appropriate place. These include:

Toothaches: Persistent pain without severe swelling or fever.

Lost Fillings or Crowns: While uncomfortable, they don’t require emergency medical attention.

Chipped or Broken Teeth: Without significant pain or soft tissue damage.

Mild Gum Pain or Swelling: Without signs of infection or fever.

If you’re experiencing any of these and find yourself in London, just give us a call. We’re a true, 24-hour Emergency dental clinic with active treatment on your first appointment, meaning that you’re almost guaranteed to walk out with your problem sorted or at least with a solid treatment plan.

The list above is courtesy of the NHS website [reference 2]

Availability of Dental Services in London Hospitals

Not all A&E departments in London have on-site dental professionals. Hospitals like University College London Hospitals (UCLH) advise that their Emergency Department is for life-threatening conditions and may not be equipped for dental emergencies.

However, some hospitals offer emergency dental services, although you must watch out for what they say – only severe cases are accepted:

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust: Provides emergency (acute) dental care for conditions like dental infections, bleeding, and trauma. Access is through NHS 111, which will assess and refer patients as needed.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Offers acute dental care for adults with severe dental problems, such as significant facial swelling or uncontrolled bleeding. Patients are advised to contact NHS 111 for assessment and referral.

It’s important to note that these services often require a referral from NHS 111 and may not accept walk-in patients.

Steps to Take for Non-Emergency Dental Issues

If your dental problem isn’t life-threatening:

Contact Us: We welcome walk-in patients and true 24-hour emergency dental service with active treatment on the 1st appointment. If you’re coming to see us after 11 pm, call the clinic prior to arrival to ensure you’re seen as swiftly as possible.
If you can wait, call NHS 111: If you feel that your pain can wait for a few hours or perhaps days, call the NHS and book an appointment with your regular dentist.
Manage Pain at Home: Use over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen and avoid aggravating the affected area until you can see a dentist. Do not self-medicate with antibiotics or other, more potent medication. Some dental issues may not react well with the medication and make the problem worse than it is.

Conclusion

While A&E departments are equipped to handle severe medical emergencies, they are not always the best place for dental issues unless they are life-threatening. For most dental problems, contacting us, your dentist, or NHS 111 will ensure you receive appropriate and timely care. Understanding when to seek emergency medical attention for dental issues helps you utilise healthcare resources effectively and get the care you need.