Do you suddenly have severe toothache, a broken tooth, or a swollen cheek? Dental complaints can arise unexpectedly and cause significant discomfort. Especially when the pain persists or worsens, you want to be helped as quickly as possible.
Are you looking for an emergency dentist in Leiden? At We Smile Tandartsen, we understand how distressing acute dental pain can be. Therefore, we aim to assess and, where possible, treat patients with emergency complaints as quickly as possible during our opening hours.
Not every dental complaint is an emergency. However, there are situations where acting quickly is important to prevent further damage or complications.
In this article, you will read when toothache constitutes an emergency, what you can do yourself, and how emergency treatment at the dentist proceeds.
1. When is toothache an emergency?
Toothache can have various causes. Sometimes the pain develops gradually, while in other cases, you experience sudden, severe pain.
Not every painful tooth requires immediate treatment, but certain complaints demand a rapid assessment.
Contact a dentist as soon as possible if you suffer from:
- Severe, persistent toothache that does not respond sufficiently to painkillers.
- A swollen cheek or gums, especially when the swelling increases.
- A broken tooth or molar where pain occurs or the nerve may be exposed.
- A knocked-out permanent tooth due to a fall or accident.
- Persistent bleeding after a tooth extraction that does not stop.
- Fever in combination with toothache or swelling, which may indicate an infection.
- Pain when biting down, making normal eating difficult.
In the event of rapidly increasing swelling, swallowing problems, or difficulty breathing, immediate medical assessment is necessary. In case of breathing difficulties, call 112.
Are you unsure if your complaint is an emergency? Please contact your dentist by telephone. Based on your symptoms, it can be determined how quickly you need to be seen.
2. What can you do yourself for acute toothache?
When you suddenly experience toothache, you can take several measures to temporarily reduce the symptoms.
These tips may provide relief, but they usually do not address the underlying cause.
Use a suitable painkiller
Paracetamol is a suitable first choice for toothache for many adults. Use it according to the instructions on the packaging and take any medical conditions or other medications into account.
If paracetamol is not sufficiently effective, ibuprofen can sometimes be an additional option. However, ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone, for example, in the case of certain stomach, kidney, or heart problems, and during pregnancy.
Consult your pharmacist or doctor if you are in doubt.
Rinse gently with lukewarm water
If there are food particles stuck between your teeth, rinsing gently with lukewarm water can help. If possible, also clean carefully between the teeth.
Cool the cheek in case of swelling
In case of swelling after an injury, you can hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek. Wrap the compress in a cloth to prevent direct contact with the skin.
Cooling can provide temporary relief but does not treat a potential infection.
Avoid chewing on the painful tooth
Try to chew on the other side of your mouth temporarily and avoid hard foods.
Do not apply painkillers directly to the gums
Never place an aspirin or other painkiller directly against the painful tooth or gums. This can cause irritation or damage to the mucous membrane.
If the pain persists or worsens, have your teeth examined by a dentist.
3. What are the most common causes of severe toothache?
Acute toothache can have various causes. To determine the correct treatment, it is important to investigate where the pain is coming from.
A deep cavity
When tooth decay penetrates further into a tooth or molar, the nerve can become irritated. This may cause sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet foods.
In cases of advanced caries, the pain can also occur spontaneously.
An inflamed dental nerve
When the nerve in a tooth or molar becomes severely inflamed, intense, prolonged, or throbbing pain can occur.
Sometimes the pain worsens with heat or when lying down. Depending on the situation, a root canal treatment may be necessary.
An infection around the root tip
When bacteria enter the root canal, an infection can develop around the root tip.
This can cause pain during chewing or biting down. Sometimes a swelling or abscess also develops.
A broken or cracked molar
A crack in a molar can cause sharp pain during chewing. Not every crack is immediately visible, so additional examination may be required.
An inflamed wisdom tooth
With a partially erupted wisdom tooth, food particles and bacteria can accumulate under the gums.
This can lead to pain, swelling, and sometimes difficulty opening the mouth.
Gum problems
Inflammation of the gums or a periodontal abscess can also cause acute pain.
Treatment depends on the cause and the severity of the inflammation.
4. What should you do in case of a broken or knocked-out tooth?
Not only toothache, but also an accident can be a reason for an emergency appointment.
A broken tooth
When a piece of your tooth breaks off, it is advisable to keep the broken fragment.
Sometimes the fragment can be reattached. In other cases, the tooth can be restored with a filling or crown.
When the nerve is exposed or there is severe pain, rapid treatment is important.
A knocked-out permanent tooth
When a permanent tooth is completely knocked out of the mouth, acting quickly is essential.
- Handle the tooth only by the crown and not by the root.
- If there is visible dirt, rinse the tooth gently and briefly with milk or physiological saline. Do not scrub the root clean.
- If possible, immediately place the tooth back into the socket gently, without using force.
- Is reinsertion not possible? Then store the tooth in milk or a suitable storage fluid for knocked-out teeth.
- Contact a dentist immediately.
A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of survival when it is replaced as quickly as possible.
Important: a knocked-out baby tooth should never be replaced, as this can cause damage to the permanent tooth developing underneath it.
5. How does an emergency treatment at the dentist proceed?
When you visit the dentist with acute toothache, the cause of your complaints is first investigated.
At We Smile Tandartsen in Leiden, we discuss your symptoms and perform a targeted dental examination.
Step 1: Examination of the painful tooth
The dentist examines your teeth and assesses, among other things, the painful tooth, the gums, and any swelling.
Step 2: Additional X-ray examination
If necessary, an X-ray is taken. This allows for the assessment of, for example, infections around the root tip, deep cavities, or other abnormalities.
Step 3: Discussing the treatment
Depending on the cause, the dentist may propose various treatments, such as:
- Restoring a broken tooth or lost filling.
- Starting a root canal treatment.
- Treating or draining an abscess.
- Removing a tooth or molar when preservation is not possible or desirable.
- Performing a temporary treatment to reduce the pain.
In the case of a dental infection, local treatment is usually the starting point. Antibiotics are not standard and are only prescribed when there is a medical indication for them.
Step 4: Advice and potential follow-up appointment
Not every treatment can be fully completed during an emergency appointment.
If a follow-up treatment is necessary, we will discuss the required steps with you.
6. Can I be seen by an emergency dentist in Leiden on the same day?
When you have severe toothache, you naturally do not want to wait days for an appointment.
At We Smile Tandartsen in Leiden, we aim to help patients with acute dental complaints as quickly as possible during our opening hours.
Whether treatment is possible on the same day depends, among other things, on the severity of your complaints, the time you contact us, and the available space in our schedule.
Do you have severe pain, swelling, or a dental accident? Please contact our practice by telephone.
For emergency complaints, we advise not to rely solely on an online appointment. By contacting us by telephone, we can better assess the urgency of your situation.
Outside our opening hours, you can contact the duty emergency dentist in the region for complaints that cannot wait.
7. What are the costs of emergency dental treatment?
The costs of an emergency treatment depend on the examination and the treatment required.
For dental treatments in the Netherlands, national maximum rates apply, which are established by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa).
During an emergency treatment, costs may arise for, for example:
- A consultation and dental examination.
- A necessary X-ray.
- Placing a filling.
- A root canal treatment.
- Removing a tooth or molar.
Outside regular opening hours, a surcharge may apply under the applicable conditions.
Is emergency treatment covered by insurance?
For adults aged 18 and over, regular dental treatments are generally not covered by basic insurance. With supplementary dental insurance, you may be able to have part of the costs reimbursed.
For children up to 18 years old, many regular dental treatments are covered by basic insurance.
Where possible, we discuss in advance which treatment is necessary and what the expected costs are.
8. Making an emergency appointment at We Smile Tandartsen in Leiden
Do you suddenly have severe toothache, a broken tooth, or painful swelling?
At We Smile Tandartsen, we understand that dental pain can have a significant impact on your daily life.
Our practice focuses on personal attention, clear explanations, and modern dental treatments.
We utilize, among other things, digital X-ray diagnostics and the QuickSleeper, which allows us to apply comfortable and targeted anesthesia for suitable treatments.
During an emergency appointment, we investigate the cause of your complaints and discuss the necessary treatment.
Are you looking for a dentist in Leiden? Even if you are not yet a patient at our practice, you can contact us to discuss the possibilities.
View our information regarding emergency treatments.
9. Prevent acute toothache with regular dental check-ups
Not all dental emergencies can be prevented. A tooth can, for example, break unexpectedly or be damaged in an accident.
However, many pain complaints arise from problems that develop over a longer period, such as tooth decay or infections.
During a periodic check-up, emerging problems can often be detected before they cause serious complaints.
By having your teeth checked regularly, brushing well, and cleaning between your teeth daily, you reduce the risk of certain dental problems.
Do you currently have acute toothache? Do not wait until your next regular check-up.
Contact We Smile Tandartsen in Leiden by telephone to discuss your complaints.
More information about emergencies and how to contact us.
Healthy teeth start with good prevention, but in the case of acute pain, timely treatment is just as important.
{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Wanneer is kiespijn een spoedgeval?”, “acceptedAnswer”: “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Kiespijn is vaak spoed bij ernstige, aanhoudende pijn, zwelling van tandvlees of wang, koorts in combinatie met tandpijn, een afgebroken tand of kies, een uitgevallen tand door een ongeluk of een nabloeding na een behandeling. Twijfelt u? Neem dan telefonisch contact op met een tandarts.” }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Wat kan ik thuis doen bij acute kiespijn?”, “acceptedAnswer”: “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “U kunt uw mond spoelen met lauw water, een pijnstiller zoals paracetamol gebruiken volgens de aanbevolen dosering, bij zwelling een koud kompres tegen de wang houden en druk op de pijnlijke kies vermijden door aan de andere kant te kauwen.” }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Kan ik dezelfde dag terecht bij een spoedtandarts in Leiden?”, “acceptedAnswer”: “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “In veel gevallen probeert een spoedtandarts u dezelfde dag te helpen, afhankelijk van de drukte en het moment waarop u contact opneemt. Bij ernstige pijn is het verstandig om direct te bellen.” }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Wat doet een spoedtandarts bij kiespijn?”, “acceptedAnswer”: “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “De spoedtandarts onderzoekt de oorzaak van de pijn, eventueel met een röntgenfoto, en zorgt voor snelle pijnverlichting. Daarna volgt een tijdelijke of definitieve behandeling om verdere problemen te voorkomen.” }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Wat kost een spoedbehandeling bij de tandarts?”, “acceptedAnswer”: “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “De kosten hangen af van de behandeling die nodig is. Tandartstarieven zijn landelijk vastgesteld. Vraag bij twijfel vooraf om een inschatting van de kosten.” } ] }