Dealing With A Dental Swelling

What to do if a swelling develops in your mouth.

If you notice some swelling in your mouth, it is likely to have been caused by an infection. It may not happen overnight or even be painful initially, but it will almost certainly worsen over time. Whether the swelling is caused by dental decay or even an abscess, you should not ignore it and seek an emergency dental appointment as soon as you can.

We will always try to see our patients from the local Burton and Ashby areas as promptly as possible if they are in pain. Often this will be the same day, but, as anyone who has been in this position will know, even a few hours can seem a very long time when you are in pain.

Below, the team at Alexandra Dental Care, offer some advice about the immediate steps you should take to be as comfortable as possible if you find yourself in this situation.

Make your emergency dental appointment – Even before you reach for your painkillers, you should call us straight away to make an appointment to have your mouth checked. If you delay, somebody else may beat you to a vacant appointment spot and you may have to wait slightly longer before we can see you. There is also the risk that if the painkillers are effective, and especially if you are a little dental phobic, you may decide that it is not too painful after all. This is taking a “head in the sand” approach though, and is likely to result in more severe pain as well as a longer wait for treatment. So please don’t delay getting in touch with us.

Take painkillers – Once your appointment has been made, you should take a suitable painkiller. This may help to reduce the swelling as well as ease the pain. Your regular painkiller should suffice, but we are happy to offer advice about appropriate medication when you ring for your appointment.

Use an ice pack – An ice pack is an effective way of reducing the swelling and may slow down the infection too. A simple method is to take a pack of frozen peas and wrap a clean tea towel around it. This can then be gently placed against the swollen area. DO NOT use a hot water bottle, or similar, against the swelling, however tempting it may be. Whilst it may offer some initial relief, it is not recommended for this particular circumstance.

Rinse with warm salt water – As well as offering a little soothing relief, a warm saline solution can be used to keep the area as clean as possible, especially as it is likely to be too tender to brush in that area.

If you follow this advice, you should be able to lessen any discomfort and when you attend to see our dentist, we will examine the swelling and take appropriate action to treat it, restoring your mouth to a healthy state once again.

Remember, prompt action is key, so, if you have any swelling in the mouth and you need dental assistance in Ashby or Burton, please call Alexandra Dental Care straight away on 01283 216347.

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