Urgent dental care · Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Dental Pain & Urgent Dental Problems in Castlebar
If you have dental pain, a broken tooth, a lost filling, a dental abscess or another urgent dental problem, contact Breaffy Dental. We keep some capacity for patients with urgent dental problems.
Serving Castlebar, Breaffy and across County Mayo.
Mon–Thu 8:30 am–5:00 pm · Fri 8:30 am–12:30 pm. Appointment availability varies.
Important
This is not a medical emergency service
If you are experiencing any of the following, call 999 or 112 immediately or go to your nearest Emergency Department:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Severe swelling affecting your airway or throat
- Dental abscess with high fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Any other medical emergency
Do not wait for a dental appointment.
For a dental abscess with significant facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Not sure if it counts as urgent?
Urgent dental problems are those causing significant pain, affecting your ability to eat or function, or where delay could make the situation worse. Common examples include:
Severe toothache
Persistent dental pain not controlled by over-the-counter pain relief.
Dental abscess
Swelling, throbbing pain, fever or a bad taste in the mouth may indicate a dental infection.
Broken or fractured tooth
A tooth that has broken, particularly if it is causing pain or has a sharp edge.
Lost filling or crown
A filling or crown that has come out, especially if the tooth is sensitive or painful.
What happens when you call
When you phone the practice, tell us what is happening. We will ask a few questions to understand the situation:
- What are your symptoms and how long have you had them?
- Are you in pain, and how severe is it?
- Is there any swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing?
- Have you taken any pain relief, and has it helped?
This helps us assess the urgency and arrange the most appropriate appointment.
First, we find the cause
Dental pain can have several causes. The cause matters because it determines the appropriate treatment. At your appointment we will:
- Examine the affected tooth and surrounding area
- Take X-rays if needed to assess the tooth and bone
- Identify the cause of the pain or problem
- Explain what we have found and the options available
- Provide a written estimate before any planned treatment begins
We explain what we find before we do anything.
Over-the-counter pain relief can help manage dental pain temporarily, but it does not treat the underlying cause.
Treatment depends on what we find
Urgent dental treatment varies depending on the cause. Common treatments include:
- Temporary or permanent filling for a cavity or lost filling
- Antibiotics or drainage for a dental abscess
- Root canal treatment to address infection within the tooth
- Extraction if the tooth cannot be saved
A written estimate will be provided before any planned treatment begins. Not all treatment can be completed at a single appointment.
For more on root canal treatment, see our root canal treatment page.
Toothache and dental infection
Dental pain can have several causes — tooth decay, a cracked tooth, a dental abscess, gum problems, or a lost filling or crown. The cause matters because it determines the appropriate treatment.
If you have a dental abscess, contact the practice promptly. A dental abscess is an infection that will not resolve without treatment. If you have significant facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help manage dental pain temporarily. It does not treat the underlying cause.
Broken tooth, lost filling or lost crown
Whether a broken tooth or lost filling is urgent depends on several factors:
- Whether the tooth is causing pain or sensitivity
- Whether there is a sharp edge that is catching on the tongue or cheek
- Whether the break is significant or involves the nerve
Temporary dental cement, available from pharmacies, can provide short-term protection while you wait for an appointment. It is not a substitute for proper dental treatment.
Knocked or injured tooth
Dental injuries can vary considerably — from a minor chip to a tooth that has been displaced or knocked out entirely. Timely assessment can matter in some situations.
If you or someone in your care has suffered dental trauma, contact the practice promptly and describe what has happened. We will advise on the appropriate next step.
If the injury is part of a more serious accident involving the head, face or neck, or if the person is seriously unwell, seek emergency medical care first.
Not already a patient at Breaffy Dental?
You do not need to be an existing patient to contact us about an urgent dental problem. Appointment availability varies, so please phone the practice and tell us what is happening.
Can I get an urgent dental appointment today?
Urgent appointment availability varies from day to day. We keep some capacity for patients with urgent dental problems, but depending on demand and the clinical urgency of your problem, there may be a wait of a few days. Same-day appointments cannot be guaranteed.
Please phone the practice and tell us what is happening. Our team will help determine the appropriate next step and let you know the earliest suitable appointment available. Calling earlier in the day gives us the best opportunity to help as quickly as possible.
What if I need help outside our opening hours?
Breaffy Dental is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. We are closed at weekends.
If you have an urgent dental concern outside these hours, please phone the practice and follow the instructions on our voicemail.
Medical emergency outside practice hours
For a dental emergency outside hours, your local out-of-hours GP service or the Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital may be able to provide interim advice or treatment.
Fees for urgent dental appointments
Fees depend on the treatment required. A written estimate will be provided before any planned treatment begins.
- Dental examination
- €55
- Small X-ray
- €20
- Bitewing X-ray series
- €35
- Temporary filling
- €50
- Composite (white) filling
- €100–€150
- Routine extraction
- €120–€180
Additional treatment fees may apply depending on what is found at examination. A written estimate will be provided before any planned treatment begins.
Managing dental pain while you wait
While waiting for a dental appointment, the following may help manage pain temporarily:
- Ibuprofen (if suitable for you) — follow the instructions on the packaging
- Paracetamol — follow the instructions on the packaging
- A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek may help reduce swelling
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks if the tooth is sensitive
- Temporary dental cement (available from pharmacies) can protect a tooth with a lost filling
Pain relief manages symptoms — it does not treat the underlying cause. Contact the practice for an appointment.
Our approach to urgent dental care
We listen first
Tell us what is happening. We will help you work out the appropriate next step without pressure.
We explain what we find
Before any treatment, we explain what we have found and the options available to you.
We provide written estimates
A written estimate is provided before any planned treatment begins.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about urgent dental care at Breaffy Dental in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Dental pain or an urgent problem?
Call Breaffy Dental and tell us what is happening. We will help you work out the appropriate next step.
Mon–Thu 8:30 am–5:00 pm · Fri 8:30 am–12:30 pm. Appointment availability varies — same-day appointments cannot be guaranteed.