Dear LPG,

I recently was told a rather worrying story that I think I should share in case it happens to you.

As we get older one thing we can be sure of is that we will be the owners of fewer and fewer teeth, although there are alternatives to the denture these days if you can afford them.  Very few of us elders have not experienced a late evening meal where one of our pearly whites just could not take the strain as we negotiated that after dinner chicken bone during late night dinner at home or tried to crack open one walnut too many while watching, with suspense, the most crucial part of a film that we just could not miss; even for the half a minute it would have taken to get the nutcracker.

The circumstances were different in my friend’s case but the result was the same; lots of pain, most of a dismembered tooth in the hand and the prospect of a sleepless night. 

Instead of phoning 111, or his usual dental surgery or waiting for his usual dentist to open their doors, my friend decided that a trip to Guys hospital was the solution to be arrived at.  They open their doors at 07:45 each weekday morning and, let’s face it after a painful sleepless night, getting ready and making your way there early may be one way to detracting from the pain you are feeling.

It is also important to remember that with that level of pain, you can also turn up at your local hospital’s A&E department, phone your usual dentist, where many have left information for emergency situations as part of their recorded message, or phone 111.

I think it is good to know your options while you are not in pain so that you can review all of them and pick a solution more quickly if you ever experience such a painful moment. 

TM, Dulwich.

LPG found a little information…

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