It’s important to understand that Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments are primarily equipped to handle life-threatening conditions. For dental-related issues, A&E departments may not be the most appropriate first point of contact. Daily, individuals with dental problems are often directed to seek dental professional help instead.
You should consider visiting A&E for dental problems only if you’re experiencing severe conditions that impact your overall health, such as:
Difficulty Breathing: If your dental issue is causing you to have trouble breathing.
Difficulty Swallowing: When a dental problem makes swallowing challenging, posing a risk to your safety.
Severe Facial Swelling: Particularly if the swelling extends to your neck or upper cheeks and is severe enough to cause your eyes to close.
These symptoms could indicate a serious infection that requires immediate attention. In such cases, A&E can provide the necessary emergency care. For all other dental emergencies, contacting a dental professional is the recommended course of action to ensure you receive the specialised care you need.