Toothache can sometimes wait for a routine appointment, but in other cases, the pain or problem is too severe to ignore. That’s when you may need to see an emergency dentist. Knowing the difference can help you get the right care quickly and avoid more serious complications.

Here are five clear signs it’s time to book an emergency dental appointment.

Book an Emergency Appointment at Riverdale

1. Severe or Persistent Toothache

Mild sensitivity can usually wait, but if you have pain that is intense, throbbing, or keeping you awake at night, it’s a sign something isn’t right. Severe toothache may be caused by infection, decay, or an abscess, all of which need urgent treatment.

2. Swelling in the Face or Gums

If you notice swelling around a tooth, in your gums, or even in your face or jaw, it could point to infection. Left untreated, infections can spread quickly and cause serious health risks. A call to an emergency dentist near you is essential if you notice sudden or painful swelling.

3. A Knocked-Out Tooth

Time is critical if you’ve lost a tooth through an accident or injury. Seeing a dentist within an hour gives the best chance of saving the tooth. In the meantime, gently rinse it in milk or saliva, avoid touching the root, and try to keep it moist until your urgent dental care appointment.

4. Broken, Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Not every chip needs immediate attention, but if your tooth has broken and is causing pain, cutting your tongue or cheeks, or exposing sensitive inner layers, it counts as a dental emergency. Your dentist can smooth, fill, or restore the tooth depending on the severity.

5. Lost Fillings, Crowns or Dental Work

When a crown, filling, or bridge falls out, it can leave your tooth vulnerable and painful. Even if it doesn’t hurt straight away, exposed teeth are more prone to damage and infection. An emergency dental appointment helps protect the tooth until a permanent solution is in place.

When to Go Straight to A&E

While most urgent issues can be handled by an emergency dentist, you should go to A&E immediately if:

• You’re experiencing heavy, uncontrolled bleeding.
• You have swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing.
• You’ve had serious trauma to the face or jaw.

Our practices provide same-day and next-day appointments for patients in need of urgent help. Whether it’s severe toothache, swelling, or a lost crown, our team is here to provide fast and effective care when you need it most.

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Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments in the UK. While whitening toothpastes and DIY kits promise results, the safest and most effective way to brighten your smile is through professional teeth whitening at the dentist.

Here’s what you need to know about how dentists whiten teeth – and the options available at Riverdale practices.

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Why Choose Professional Whitening?

Dentist teeth whitening treatments are carefully supervised by qualified clinicians. That means the gels used contain a higher concentration of whitening ingredients (typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) than anything you can buy on the high street – but because they’re provided and overseen by a dentist, they’re still completely safe.

Professional whitening ensures:

• Noticeable results – teeth can be several shades lighter after treatment.
• Even whitening – custom-made trays ensure consistent coverage, avoiding patchy results.
• Safety – your dentist will check your teeth and gums first to prevent sensitivity or irritation.
• Long-lasting impact – with good oral care and occasional top-ups, results can last many months or longer.

It’s why professional teeth whitening in the UK is considered the gold standard for a brighter, more confident smile.

Your Professional Teeth Whitening Options

Most Riverdale Healthcare practices offer:

• Custom whitening trays and gels – Your dentist takes impressions of your teeth and creates thin plastic trays designed to fit perfectly. You’ll be given whitening gel to use with the trays at home, usually for a set time each day over one to two weeks. This gradual approach gives you control over the final shade.

• In-practice whitening – Available at some practices, this involves a stronger whitening gel applied in the dental chair. The dentist monitors the process closely, and results can often be seen in a single session.

These approaches to teeth whitening at the dentist can also be combined – for example, a single in-practice treatment followed by take-home trays for maintenance.

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Everyone?

Your dentist will check your teeth and gums before recommending whitening. It’s not suitable for everyone – for example.

• Crowns, veneers, and fillings won’t change colour.
• People with gum disease or untreated decay may need treatment first.
• Whitening isn’t recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

But if you are a good candidate, a dentist teeth whitening treatment is a safe, effective way to restore brightness and boost confidence.

Alternatives to Whitening

Whitening isn’t the only way to improve the look of your smile. Your dentist may also suggest:

• Composite bonding – A tooth-coloured resin is applied directly to the surface of your teeth, shaped and polished to cover discolouration, chips, or small gaps. Bonding is minimally invasive, often completed in a single visit, and can make an immediate difference.
• Veneers – Thin porcelain or composite shells that fit over the front of your teeth. Veneers can change the colour, shape, or alignment of teeth, providing a longer-term solution for a brighter smile.

These treatments can be used on their own or alongside professional teeth whitening for a more complete transformation.

Book a Teeth Whitening Consultation

At Riverdale Healthcare, our practices provide professional teeth whitening in the UK, alongside a full range of dental treatments. Whether you’re looking for whitening alone or considering options such as bonding or veneers, our team will help you find the treatment that’s right for you.

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By Lamia Murray, Service Development Manager at Riverdale Healthcare

For many people, the dentist’s chair can feel like a place where decisions are made for them, not with them. A dentist or dental nurse might explain an issue or suggest a course of treatment, but for the patient this can feel abstract, difficult to picture, and often overwhelming.

Traditional impression-taking – where the patient bites into a tray of putty-like material to create a mould of their teeth – can risk reinforcing this gap. Patients endure a messy, uncomfortable process, and then wait while plaster models are created behind the scenes – with little chance to see or understand the details themselves.

That approach is changing. At more and more Riverdale practices, intraoral scanners are transforming the patient experience. By producing fast, highly accurate digital images of a patient’s teeth and gums, they remove the discomfort of old techniques while opening up new ways to involve patients directly in their own care plans. 

This isn’t just about new technology. It speaks to a broader need in UK dentistry: creating greater transparency, improving access, and helping patients feel confident in their choices. At Riverdale, this is central to our vision, embodied in schemes like our Dental Essentials programme – giving more people access to high-quality care and helping them take back control of their dental health.

A clearer picture from the start

The scanners used across many Riverdale practices create precise 3D images in minutes. No messy impressions, no trays. Just a simple digital scan that provides a detailed record of the mouth.

The real difference is that patients can see it too. Instead of results being hidden away in a lab, scans can be shown on screen straight away. This creates a completely new type of conversation between dentist and patient. Both are looking at the same image, discussing it together, and understanding the details in real time. 

That is why many Riverdale clinicians now scan new patients at their very first appointment. It sets the tone for a relationship based on openness and clarity from the start.

From simulation to smile

Scanners are more than diagnostic tools – they can also help patients visualise the future. 

The software includes features like treatment simulators and “smile designs ” which can show how teeth might look after Invisalign, whitening, or composite bonding. For example, during an Invisalign consultation, a scan can show how teeth could potentially move throughout treatment – making it far easier for patients to see the potential outcome before they commit.

This makes a huge difference. Instead of imagining an outcome from a description, patients can see a projection of their own smile. That builds confidence, reduces uncertainty, and helps people make informed decisions about treatment – including about affordability. 

Faster routes to treatment

Digital scans can be sent instantly to dental labs. That means aligners, whitening trays, or even implant guides can often be ready within days rather than weeks. Less waiting, more certainty.

This speed is particularly visible during Riverdale practice open days. Patients can be scanned on the spot, explore treatment options, and discuss pricing with the dental team – often leaving with a clear plan in hand. What might once have required multiple appointments can now happen in a single visit

Education, not just information

Dentistry can sometimes feel full of unfamiliar terms. A scan changes that. When dentists show patients what is happening on screen, the conversation becomes clearer, easier to follow, and easier to remember.

This is especially useful for spotting early warning signs – such as gum recession, enamel wear, or bite issues. Patients can see the issue for themselves and understand why it matters, making them better equipped to take action before problems become serious.

Turning patients into partners

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of intraoral scanners is how they change the patient’s role. Dentistry has often felt like something being done to patients, but with a scan it becomes something they are part of. Many patients, when shown their scan, point out things they would like to change or ask about possible improvements. Treatment planning becomes a genuine partnership, giving people greater confidence in their decisions and commitment to their care.

This reflects exactly what Riverdale aims to achieve: dentistry that is clearer, faster, and more engaging – where patients feel informed, supported, and in control of their health. Intraoral scanners are not just advanced tools, but an important step towards a future of care that is transparent, accessible, and centred on the patient.

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