A dental emergency can happen at any time. Knowing what to do and who to call can make a significant difference to the outcome. Here is your guide to handling a dental emergency in the Scottish Borders.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth. Common dental emergencies include severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, a broken or cracked tooth, a dental abscess, a lost or broken crown, and significant swelling of the face or jaw.
What to Do First
If you are in severe pain or have significant swelling, contact a dental practice immediately. If you cannot reach a dentist, call NHS 24 on 111 who can direct you to urgent dental care. For life-threatening emergencies such as difficulty breathing due to swelling, go to A&E immediately.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, handle it by the crown (the white part) and avoid touching the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saliva — do not use water. Try to reinsert it into the socket if possible, or store it in milk and get to a dentist as quickly as possible. The sooner you are seen, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection that can spread quickly and become serious. If you have swelling, severe pain, a bad taste in your mouth, or a temperature, contact a dentist urgently. Do not ignore an abscess — it requires professional treatment.
GK Dental Hawick — Emergency Appointments
GK Dental in Hawick offers emergency dental appointments for patients across the Scottish Borders. If you have a dental emergency, call us on 01450 371 777 and we will do everything we can to see you as quickly as possible.
Ready to book your free NHS checkup? Call GK Dental Hawick on 01450 371 777 or visit gkdentalhawick.co.uk. We are currently welcoming new NHS patients in Hawick and the Scottish Borders.
