If a tooth is hurting right now, call +387 65 638 807. We usually see emergencies the same day.
When it is an emergency
It is an emergency if you have severe, throbbing pain that a painkiller does not settle; swelling of the cheek, the gum or under the eye; a tooth broken in a fall or a blow; a filling or crown that has come out; gums that bleed heavily and will not stop; or pain that wakes you at night. If you are unsure whether your case is urgent, get in touch anyway, because it is easier to ask briefly on the phone than to let an infection grow.
Before you get here
For pain, take a painkiller you normally tolerate. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum, because it burns the soft tissue there; a cold compress on the outside of the cheek helps, while heat makes things worse. For swelling, cool from the outside and contact us immediately, because swelling that spreads towards the eye or the neck is not something to wait on.
A knocked-out or broken tooth
If a tooth has been knocked out completely, hold it by the crown, never by the root, do not scrub it, put it in a glass of milk or saline solution rather than water, and come straight away; a tooth put back within the first hour can often be saved. If a filling or crown has come out, keep it and bring it with you, and avoid chewing on that side until your appointment. If a piece of tooth has broken off, keep the fragment moist and bring it along, because sometimes it can be bonded back on.
Outside opening hours
We are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. Outside those hours, send us a message and we get back to you as soon as we open and give you an appointment for that day. If there is severe swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a high fever or a facial injury, please do not wait for us and go to the emergency department.
What to bring with you
If you have them: a recent X-ray, a list of the medicines you take, and details of any allergies. If you are on blood thinners, tell us at the very start of the appointment, because it changes how we proceed. The same applies to pregnancy and to heart or metabolic conditions you are being treated for.
What happens at the appointment
The first step is to take the pain away and find the cause. Depending on what we find, that can mean relieving an infection, opening a tooth, placing a temporary filling or re-cementing a crown that has come loose. The definitive restoration is often not part of this first visit, as it gets planned once you are out of pain and can decide calmly. Before we do anything, we tell you what we propose and why, and if you are anxious or bring bad experiences with you, say so and we work around it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I come without an appointment?
If you are in pain, yes. A quick call or message first is better, so that we know you are coming and can set aside time. That way you wait far less.
What if it hurts at the weekend?
We are open on Saturday until 13:00. Sunday is closed, so send us a message and we will get back to you first thing Monday with an appointment. With severe swelling or a fever, please go to the emergency department.
Can a knocked-out tooth be put back?
Often yes, if it happens quickly. Hold it by the crown only, put it in milk or saline solution and come straight away. The chances are best within the first hour and drop noticeably after that.
What can I take for the pain until I get there?
A painkiller you normally tolerate, at the usual dose. Do not place anything directly on the tooth, and no aspirin on the gum. Cool from the outside, because heat makes inflammation worse.
Do antibiotics help with toothache?
Antibiotics can be part of the treatment for certain infections, but they never replace treating the cause. Whether and when they are appropriate is something we decide after an examination, so please do not start any on your own.
I am very anxious about the dentist. What now?
Tell us when you book. We explain each step in advance, work more slowly and numb generously. When you are in acute pain, the first appointment is mostly about taking the pain away anyway.
What will it cost in your case?
It depends on the condition of your teeth and what needs to be done. Send us a message — a photo helps — and we'll tell you what we suggest and how long it takes.
