Emergency Appointments
Dental emergencies can be a very stressful experience. At High Locks we want to be here for you when the unexpected should occur. If you are at all concerned about anything untoward happening with your mouth, please contact our helpful team who will help get you seen by one of our dentists as soon as possible.
Be sure to describe your symptoms to the reception staff, so that they understand the nature of your situation and can inform the dental staff. We reserve emergency slots in our diary and will endeavour to get you seen in no later than 48 hours.
Out-of-hours assistance
For emergencies outside of practice hours, you can call the practice directly on: 01778 347 677
You will be given the contact details for the out-of-hours emergency dentist. You can also leave a message via phone or email for one of our reception team to call you back the next working day.
Frequently Asked Questions
We will advise you on a suitable recall interval which may vary from every three months to 2 years depending on your individual needs and in accordance with NICE guidelines.
If it's an adult (permanent) tooth:
- Hold it by the white bit that sticks out of the gum (the crown). Do not touch the root.
- Lick it clean if it's dirty, or quickly rinse it in cold running water for no more than 10 seconds
- Try to put it back into the hole in the gum. If it does notgo in easily:
a. Put it in milk
b. Put it in saliva - by spitting into a container (if it's your tooth) or having your child spit into a container (if it's theirs)
c. Hold it in your cheek until you see the dentist – but do not have younger children do this in case they swallow it - If it goes back in, bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place.
If it's a baby tooth:
Do not put it back in – it could damage the tooth growing underneath
If you do not know if it's an adult or baby tooth:
Put it in milk or saliva (by having your child spit into a container) and bring it to the dentist
Swellings can occur due to a variety of reasons, however the most important thing is to seek dental advice urgently. Out of hours if the swelling starts to make you feel unwell with fever or has any impact on your breathing it is imperative you go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.
