Emergency dentist for Bushey and Watford
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. If you need an emergency dentist in Bushey, call Caspian Dental Clinic on 01923 254979 as early in the day as you can. We offer same-day emergency appointments when available during our opening hours, and we’ll do our best to see you quickly.
We’re about 100 yards from Bushey station, which also makes us a practical option for urgent care if you’re in Watford.
What counts as a dental emergency?
- Severe or persistent toothache, especially if painkillers aren’t helping or it’s keeping you awake.
- Swelling of the gum, face or jaw, which can be a sign of infection.
- A dental abscess: a painful, swollen area, sometimes with a bad taste or pus.
- A knocked-out adult tooth. This is time-critical, so see the steps below.
- A broken, chipped or cracked tooth, particularly if it’s painful or sharp.
- A lost crown or filling.
- Bleeding after an extraction that won’t settle with pressure.
Smaller problems, such as a tiny chip with no pain, can usually wait for a routine appointment. If you’re not sure, call us and ask.
Knocked-out adult tooth: what to do right now
Hold it by the crown
Pick the tooth up by the white part you normally see (the crown). Don’t touch the root.
Rinse briefly if it’s dirty
Rinse it for a few seconds in milk or cold running water. Don’t scrub it, use soap or let it dry out.
Put it back if you can
Gently push it back into its socket the right way round, then bite on a clean cloth or handkerchief to hold it in place.
Otherwise, keep it in milk
If you can’t put it back, keep it in a small container of milk, or inside your cheek if you’re an adult and can do so safely. Don’t store it in water.
Get seen within the hour
Call us on 01923 254979 straight away, or NHS 111 or A&E if we’re closed. The sooner the tooth is put back and stabilised, the better its chance of surviving.
Never put a baby tooth back in, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call us so we can check your child; our children’s dentistry page has more advice for parents.
What to do until you’re seen
Toothache
Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the dose on the packet and checking it’s suitable for you. Avoid very hot, cold or sugary food. Don’t put aspirin on your gum, as it can burn the tissue.
Swelling or an abscess
Call us the same day. Antibiotics alone don’t cure a dental abscess: the source of the infection needs treating, usually by draining it, root canal treatment or removing the tooth. If swelling spreads or affects your breathing or swallowing, go to A&E.
A broken tooth, lost filling or lost crown
Keep any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water and cover a sharp edge with sugar-free chewing gum. If a crown comes off, keep it safe and bring it with you, as it may be possible to refit it. Never use household glue.
Bleeding after an extraction
Fold a clean gauze or cotton handkerchief, place it over the socket and bite down firmly for at least 15 minutes without checking. Sit upright and avoid rinsing, hot drinks, smoking and exercise. If heavy bleeding won’t stop, call us, or go to A&E if we’re closed.
Same-day emergency appointments
We’re open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday, subject to availability, and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Same-day appointments depend on availability, so calling as soon as we open gives you the best chance of being seen that day.
At your appointment, Dr Kimia Mirzakhani will find the cause of the problem, take an X-ray if needed and focus on getting you comfortable. Sometimes it can be fixed there and then; sometimes a temporary repair comes first, with the final treatment booked for later. You’ll hear your options and costs before anything starts, and we make sure you’re numb before treatment.
“They fitted me in such short notice as I was in so much pain. Cannot thank the staff enough.”
Ranika, Google review
“A caring and thoughtful dentist. It was easy to get an emergency appointment.”
Maya, Google review
Out-of-hours emergencies
If you need to be seen outside our opening hours, it may be possible for us to open the surgery for you. The out-of-hours call-out costs £120, plus the cost of any treatment. If you can’t reach us, or your problem can wait until we’re open, call NHS 111 for advice.
Emergency dental costs
Costs depend on what’s needed. We’ll confirm your appointment fee when you call and explain any treatment costs before we begin. As a guide:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New patient examination (including X-rays) | From £100 |
| Out-of-hours call-out (excluding treatment) | £120 |
| White filling | £200 – £380 |
| Routine extraction | From £250 |
| Root canal treatment | £600 – £1,000 |
Fees are subject to review and depend on your individual assessment. See our full price list for other treatments.
Realistic expectations
Not every tooth can be saved. A knocked-out tooth may not survive even when it’s put back quickly, and often needs root canal treatment later.
A badly broken tooth may need a crown, or removal if it can’t be restored, in which case we’ll talk you through replacement options such as dental implants. Temporary repairs need proper follow-up.
Emergency dentist questions
Can I see an emergency dentist today?
Call us as early in the day as you can on 01923 254979. We offer same-day emergency appointments when available during opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday, subject to availability.
How much does an emergency dental appointment cost?
It depends on what’s needed, and we’ll confirm the cost when you call. As a guide, a new patient examination including X-rays is from £100 and a white filling is £200 – £380. An out-of-hours call-out is £120 plus treatment.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency at night or on a Sunday?
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or ask us about an out-of-hours call-out (£120 plus treatment). Go to A&E or call 999 for swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or a serious facial injury.
Should I go to A&E for toothache?
Usually not, because most A&E departments can’t provide dental treatment. Go to A&E if swelling is affecting your breathing, swallowing or vision, if bleeding won’t stop, or after a serious injury. For toothache, call a dentist or NHS 111.
Will antibiotics fix my toothache?
Usually not. Antibiotics don’t treat the most common causes of toothache, such as decay or an inflamed nerve, and they don’t remove the source of an abscess. They’re only needed in specific situations, such as a spreading infection, and the tooth still needs treatment.
Is a chipped or broken tooth an emergency?
If it’s painful, sensitive, sharp or a large piece has broken off, call us the same day. A small chip with no pain can usually wait a few days, but it’s still worth having it checked, as a crack can spread.