Dental emergencies in Bilbao: what to do for pain, a knock or an abscess

In short: with a dental emergency in Bilbao the important thing is to stay calm and act quickly, especially if there has been a knock that loosens or knocks out a tooth, because the first few hours count a great deal. Here we tell you what to do step by step for severe pain, a trauma or an abscess, and when you should not wait.

What counts as a dental emergency?

Not everything that bothers you in the mouth is an emergency, but there are situations where it is best to be seen as soon as possible: pain that nothing brings down, a knock that has loosened, broken or knocked out a tooth, swelling in the face or gum (an abscess), bleeding that will not stop or an abscess with pus. In these cases, waiting “to see if it passes” usually works against you.

Emergency care depends on the time at which it happens. The best thing is to call the clinic so they can advise you and fit you in as soon as possible. If it is the middle of the night or a public holiday and there is a high fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or significant bleeding that will not stop, go straight to A&E: that is no longer just a matter for the dentist.

I have had a knock and a tooth has loosened or fallen out, what do I do?

A dental trauma is one of the few things in dentistry where the minutes really matter. If the tooth has come out whole (avulsion), act quickly:

• Always pick it up by the crown, the white part you see when you smile. Do not touch the root or rub it to “clean it”.
• If it is dirty, rinse it for a couple of seconds with saline or milk, without scrubbing.
• If you feel able, gently put it back in its socket and bite on a clean tissue to hold it in place.
• If you cannot reposition it, keep it in a glass of milk or saline solution (never in tap water, nor dry).
• Go to the dentist immediately. The sooner you arrive, the more chance of saving the tooth.

If the tooth has only loosened or broken off a piece, keep the fragment if you find it, apply cold to the outside of the cheek for the swelling and book an appointment soon. Sometimes a knock with no major visible damage affects the nerve inside, and that is assessed calmly afterwards. In those cases a root canal may end up being needed to save the tooth.

I have an abscess or a swollen face, what do I do?

An abscess is an infection, usually of dental origin, and it does not sort itself out. It can cause pain, swelling in the gum or cheek, a bad taste in the mouth and, sometimes, a fever. What you can do while waiting to be seen:

• Rinse with warm water with a little salt several times a day.
• Take the painkiller you usually use, respecting the dose.
• Do not burst the swelling or pierce it yourself.
• Do not self-medicate with antibiotics you have at home: the treatment is decided by the professional.

The important thing is to resolve the cause, not just the symptom. Depending on the case it may be treated with a root canal, a deep cleaning of the gum if it is a periodontics problem, or an extraction within oral surgery. If the swelling grows quickly, you struggle to swallow or breathe or you have a high fever, do not wait for the appointment: go to A&E.

It hurts a lot, how do I cope until the appointment?

While the time to be seen approaches, you can ease the discomfort without masking the problem:

• Take your usual painkiller, respecting the dose and the intervals.
• Rinse with warm water and salt.
• Avoid biting on that side and leave the area alone, with your tongue or toothpicks.
• If there is swelling, apply cold to the outside of the cheek, not heat.
• Do not put aspirin or clove directly on the gum: it can irritate it.

Be clear that this only soothes; the cause has to be treated. If fear of the dentist is what holds you back from going, know that there are options such as conscious sedation to get you through it much more calmly.

This guide is for information and does not replace a consultation or a professional diagnosis: every mouth is different and only by seeing you can we know what is happening to you. If you have an emergency or something worries you, write to us or call us and we will see how to fit you in as soon as possible; here are the contact details and how to get to the clinic in Bilbao.