Emergency Dentist Barnes | Castelnau Dentists
Serving patients throughout Barnes, Richmond, Hammersmith, Fulham, Putney and London SW13
Emergency Dentist in Barnes
Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and when they do, it's important to seek professional care as quickly as possible. At Castelnau Dentists, we do our very best to provide prompt appointments for patients experiencing urgent dental problems. If you are in pain or have a dental emergency, please call our practice as soon as possible so we can arrange to see you.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that causes significant pain, puts your teeth or gums at risk, or requires urgent attention to prevent the problem from getting worse. Common dental emergencies we see include severe toothache or dental abscess, a broken, chipped, or knocked-out tooth, a lost or damaged filling or crown, a cracked or fractured tooth, soft tissue injuries to the gums or lips, and a lost or broken dental bridge or denture.
If you are experiencing facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or severe bleeding, please seek emergency medical attention at your nearest accident and emergency department, as these symptoms may indicate a more serious problem.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If a tooth has been knocked out, handle it carefully by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently if dirty, and try to reinsert it into the socket if possible. If this is not possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in milk or saliva and seek dental care immediately. The sooner you act, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
For a dental abscess, do not attempt to drain it yourself. Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed and contact our practice urgently. An untreated abscess can spread and requires professional treatment. Call us as soon as possible or book an appointment online.
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
When you call Castelnau Dentists with a dental emergency, we will do our best to see you as quickly as possible, either on the same day or at the earliest available appointment. Our team understands how distressing a dental emergency can be, and we will treat you with care, calm, and professionalism from the moment you contact us.
At your emergency appointment, we will first aim to relieve your pain and then assess the problem fully. We will explain what we have found, discuss your treatment options, and agree a plan of action with you before proceeding. If further treatment is needed beyond the emergency appointment, we will schedule this at a time that suits you.
Not registered with us? We will still do our best to help. Please call us and we will advise you on the best course of action. We welcome new patients and are committed to providing compassionate care to everyone who comes through our door.
We are located in Barnes, SW13, and serve patients across the local area including Hammersmith, Fulham, Richmond, and Putney. For routine dental care, find out more about our routine dentistry and hygiene services. Call us straight away if you are in pain, or book online if your situation is less urgent.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While dental emergencies cannot always be avoided, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Attending regular check-up appointments allows us to identify potential problems early, before they become more serious. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during contact sports can protect your teeth from impact injuries. Avoiding habits such as chewing ice, biting your nails, or using your teeth as tools will also help protect them from damage.
If you grind your teeth at night, speak to your dentist about a nightguard. Prolonged grinding can wear teeth down and increase the risk of cracking or fracturing, particularly in teeth that have previously been filled or restored.
After Your Emergency Appointment
Depending on the nature of your emergency, we may recommend follow-up treatment to restore or protect the affected tooth. This might include a filling, a crown, root canal treatment, or a tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. We will always discuss your options fully and ensure you understand the recommended next steps before proceeding. Our aim is to help you maintain a healthy, pain-free smile for the long term.
For routine care, our routine dentistry and dental hygiene services can help keep your teeth and gums in the best possible condition. If you need to see us urgently, call our practice directly. You can also book online for non-urgent appointments.
What should I do if I knock a tooth out?
If a tooth is knocked out, act quickly. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline, but do not scrub it. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it gently in place, or keep it moist in milk or inside your cheek. Seek emergency dental care immediately. The sooner the tooth is reimplanted, the better the chance of saving it.
Can I be seen as an emergency patient if I'm not registered with you?
Yes. We do our best to help all patients experiencing dental emergencies, whether or not they are registered with our practice. Please call us as soon as possible to explain your situation. We will advise on the best course of action and arrange an appointment as quickly as we can. We encourage you to register as a patient after your emergency so we can provide continuity of care going forward.
What should I do about a dental abscess?
A dental abscess is a collection of infection that requires prompt professional treatment. Do not attempt to drain it yourself. You can take over-the-counter pain relief to help manage discomfort, but you should contact our practice urgently for an appointment. If the swelling is spreading to your face, neck, or eye, or if you are having difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to your nearest accident and emergency department immediately.
I've broken a tooth. Is it a dental emergency?
A broken or fractured tooth should be assessed by a dentist as soon as possible, especially if it is causing pain, has sharp edges that are irritating your mouth, or if the break has exposed the inner part of the tooth. Call us and describe what has happened, and we will advise on the urgency and arrange an appointment. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm salt water and try to avoid chewing on the affected side.
My filling or crown has come out. What should I do?
A lost filling or crown is not usually a medical emergency, but you should seek treatment promptly to protect the affected tooth and prevent sensitivity or further damage. Keep the area clean by brushing gently and rinsing with warm salt water. If you have the crown, keep it safe to bring with you to your appointment as it may be possible to recement it. Call our practice to arrange an appointment as soon as convenient.
How can I manage dental pain before I can be seen?
Over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help manage dental pain before your appointment. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet and do not exceed the recommended dose. Avoid applying heat to the outside of the face if there is swelling. Clove oil applied carefully to the affected area may also provide temporary relief. These measures are short-term only and do not replace professional dental treatment, so please arrange to see us as soon as possible.
Dental Emergency in Barnes? Call Us Now
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please do not wait. Call Castelnau Dentists straight away and we will do everything we can to see you as quickly as possible. Our team is here to help you feel better, fast.
For non-urgent appointments, you can also book online at a time that suits you.
Professional dental hygiene treatments in Barnes, London. Our skilled hygienists provide thorough scale and polish, personalised oral health advice, and advanced treatments including Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) to help you maintain a healthy smile.
At Castelnau Dentists, we provide a choice of accessible NHS dentistry and high quality private dental treatments for all the family. Our friendly team is dedicated to helping you enjoy a happy, healthy smile for life through regular check-ups, hygiene appointments, and expert care.