While you are waiting to receive our expert attention, the following tips may help:

Toothache – take painkillers regularly to help relieve the pain. You can use paracetamol or ibuprofen, but please remember to follow the instructions on the packet.

Lost filling – insert a temporary shop-bought dental filling material into the cavity or use sugar-free chewing gum.

Lost crown – if the crown is still intact, you can use an over-the-counter dental cement or sugar-free gum to stick it in place, but please don’t use superglue.

If your crown is broken, keep all the pieces and cover the cavity in the same way as a lost filling.

Chipped tooth – keep any small pieces and rinse your mouth with warm water. A cold compress will help reduce any swelling, and you can apply a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding.

Knocked-out tooth – we will be much more likely to save the tooth if you see us quickly, so call us as soon as you can.

Hold the tooth carefully by the crown (the part that would normally be visible in your mouth) and rinse gently with water, being careful not to scrub or remove any little bits of tissue.

Try to put the tooth back in position, making sure it is the right way round. If this is not possible, then place it in some milk (or water containing a pinch of salt).

Lost baby tooth – this is not normally considered an emergency unless the gum is damaged or parts of the tooth are still embedded. Child-friendly painkillers can be given and while ice lollies may help relieve pain and swelling.

Never try to re-implant a baby tooth as it could damage the new adult tooth in the gum.

An abscess – rinse your mouth with warm, salty water and apply a cold compress to ease any swelling. If you experience intense pain and swelling, accompanied by flu-like symptoms, you should go to your nearest A&E department.