An accident is of course very unpleasant, especially if you also have problems with your teeth afterward. Are you curious which complaints we do and don’t treat urgently? Complaints for which we don’t postpone treatment are broken teeth, secondary bleeding after a dental procedure, or acute, unbearable toothache. Lost fillings and loose crowns or bridges are examples of problems we address later. Although these complaints are very unpleasant, in most cases it is possible for the treatment to wait until the next day. When in doubt, always contact the emergency service; they assess the urgency of your complaints.

Dental injuries caused by accidents

An accident leads, for example, to:

• A loose tooth due to tooth dislocation or a displacement of the tooth.
• A broken tooth due to a fracture of the crown or in the root.
• A knocked-out or lost tooth.

What should you do yourself?

Do you have a dental injury and feel that it can’t wait until the next working day? Then call the emergency number of the emergency dentist as soon as possible. For each complaint, keep the following in mind:

The tooth is loose

• Try to get the tooth back in place with gentle pressure. Be careful not to apply too much pressure.
• Cover the tooth with a piece of gauze until you’re at the dentist. Bite down on it lightly; this keeps the tooth in place and reduces any bleeding.

The tooth is broken

• If you find the broken-off piece of tooth, bring it to the dentist. In the meantime, keep the piece in a little milk.

The tooth is knocked out or has fallen out

• If you go to the dentist within an hour of the tooth falling out, you have the best chance of good recovery.
• Always hold the tooth by the crown, never by the root!
• Is the tooth visibly dirty? Then briefly rinse it in some water or milk. Don’t rub clean the membranes covering the roots, and don’t touch them unnecessarily.
• Put the tooth back in the socket as quickly as possible and bite down on a piece of gauze; keep the tooth in a jar of milk or hold it in your mouth under the tongue.
• Definitely don’t store it dry or in water.

Even if there is no visible damage, it is always wise to have your teeth checked. Are you in pain? Then take a painkiller, such as paracetamol.

Should I go to the emergency dentist?

Some situations require immediate treatment, even outside the dentist’s regular opening hours, such as:

• Acute, severe pain that is barely manageable with painkillers.
• Secondary bleeding after pulling a tooth that does not stop bleeding.
• Trauma or injury after an accident
• An inflammation that shows as a swollen cheek with throbbing pain and possibly fever.

When should I urgently see the oral surgeon?

After an accident, always contact your dentist. In case of emergency, for example with severe pain, serious swelling, or a broken tooth, call the emergency number. In some cases, the emergency dentist gives you a referral to the oral surgeon. This happens because the surgeon often has more experience with severe or complicated complaints.

iSmile emergency dentist

In case of an emergency, contact 020 21 84 257 (Amsterdam West location) or 020 67 51 389 (Amsterdam Zuid location), and you’ll immediately get one of our staff on the line to schedule an emergency appointment.

For emergencies and acute pain complaints outside our opening hours, call the Oral Care Clinic (Mondzorg Poli) connected to the Slotervaart Hospital (MC Slotervaart) in Amsterdam via 020 72 34 848.

Cost of the emergency dentist

The cost of the emergency dentist depends on the treatment required. Otherwise, the rates are the same as for the regular dentist. Contact your health insurer for more information about any reimbursement.

Contact iSmile Tandartspraktijk

Do you have pain in your teeth after an accident? Then feel free to get in touch with the iSmile dental practice. Our expert dentists and dental hygienists are happy to guide you toward better oral health. Call 020 21 84 257 (Amsterdam West location) or 020 67 51 389 (Amsterdam Zuid location), send an email to info@ismile-tandartspraktijk.nl, or make an appointment online right away via the buttons below.

About Leena Ibrahim

Leena Ibrahim is the founder of iSmile Tandartspraktijk and has been working as a dentist for more than twenty years. After her training as a Doctor of Dental Surgery at Western University in Canada, she gained four years of experience as a general dentist before settling in the Netherlands. With iSmile Tandartspraktijk, she realized her vision of high-quality dental care in a calm and personal environment.

Leena has a special affinity with anxious patients and is certified to carry out treatments with laughing gas and sedation. In addition, she completed extensive continuing education, including in the field of implantology, so that she can keep offering her patients the best possible care. In her blogs, she shares her knowledge and advice to help you toward healthy and strong teeth.