In pain, or damaged a tooth? Try not to panic. There are a few things you can do right now to keep comfortable and protect the tooth, and they are all on this page. Then call us. We keep time each day for emergencies and aim to see you the same day.
Tell us when suits and we will call you back to arrange it. No obligation.
FIRST AID
What To Do Right Now
Toothache
Rinse gently with warm water. Over-the-counter painkillers can take the edge off for a while, so follow the instructions on the packet. Do not hold a painkiller against the gum, as it can burn the skin. Painkillers only mask the problem, they do not fix it, so call us and we will sort out what is causing it.
Chipped or broken tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and keep the area as clean as you can until you can see us. Save any pieces of the tooth if you can find them. Depending on the damage, we will usually smooth the tooth and build it back up with a tooth-coloured filling material, or fit a crown. If the nerve is affected, you may need root canal treatment. Call us and we will fit you in.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, and try not to touch the root. If it is dirty, clean it gently with a little milk or saliva. If you can, place it back in the socket. If you cannot, keep it in a small pot of milk until you reach us. Do not try this with a child's baby tooth, as it can damage the adult tooth underneath. Call us straight away, because with a knocked-out tooth, time really matters.
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown safe if it has come out in one piece, as we may be able to refit it. Keep the area clean and try not to chew on that side. It will feel sensitive with the tooth exposed, which is normal. Call us so we can refit or replace it.
Abscess or swelling
Swelling in the mouth or face, sometimes with a bad taste, can be a sign of infection and should be seen quickly. If swelling is spreading fast, or you are finding it hard to breathe or swallow, treat it as a medical emergency and call 999 or go to A&E. Otherwise, call us and we will get you seen.
Call us straight away if:
You are in pain that will not settle
You have broken, chipped or knocked out a tooth
A filling or crown has come out
You have swelling in your mouth or face
You are bleeding from the mouth and it will not stop
You are not sure, and you would rather someone told you
What an emergency appointment covers:
Seeing you the same day where we can
Finding out what is wrong
Getting you out of pain
A written cost for any further treatment, before it starts
A written cost for any further treatment, before it starts
Care whether or not you are a registered patient
In pain today?
Call us and we will help.
We aim to see emergency patients the same day. Emergency appointment from £92.
Phone the practice and tell us what has happened. The earlier in the day you call, the sooner we can usually fit you in.
02
We see you fast
We keep time each day for emergencies and aim to see you the same day. If you are nervous or in a lot of pain, tell us, and we will look after you.
03
We relieve the pain
Our first job is to get you comfortable and stop the pain. We use The Wand for almost pain-free injections, so treatment is gentler than you might expect.
04
We plan any follow-up
Once you are out of pain, we explain what caused the problem and what, if anything, needs doing next. You get the cost in writing before any further treatment, and it is your choice.
Longer appointments, so we can talk through your concerns and give you a break if you need one.
Almost pain-free injections
The Wand numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Most patients are surprised how easy it is.
Digital X-rays
We diagnose faster, more accurately and with far less radiation than older film.
A hand to hold
Bring a partner in, or hold a nurse's hand. If you ever need us, we respond the same day.
About Waterside Dental
Your private dental practicein Hythe.
Waterside Dental is a private practice in Hythe, owned and led by principal dentist Dr Nikos Louskos since 2017. It has recently been refurbished to feel more like home than a clinic, and is run by a small, hand-picked team — so you'll always see a familiar face.
Care here is unhurried and patient-led. Appointments are longer so concerns can be talked through properly, treatment is explained in plain language, and nothing is rushed — with breaks during longer procedures whenever you need them.
We welcome private patients from Hythe and across Southampton — whether you're registering as a new patient or visiting for a single course of treatment while staying with your current dentist.
"I firmly believe that dentistry doesn't have to be unpleasant or scary, and that often it can be life-changing."
DR NIKOS LOUSKOS
Our Principal Dentist
Meet Dr NikosLouskos.
DDS · MSc Endodontics · GDC No. 102626
Principal dentist and practice owner, with a special interest in endodontics.
Dr Nikos Louskos qualified in Athens in 2005 and moved to the UK in 2006. He worked as an associate at Waterside before taking ownership of the practice in 2017.
In 2016 he completed a Master's in Endodontic Practice at Queen Mary University of London. He accepts referrals for complex root canal cases, which he treats under a microscope, and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry.
Nobody wants surprises after a dental visit. You'll get an itemised treatment plan with exact costs before anything begins, plus monthly payment options to spread the cost.
Finance is provided by Tabeo and is interest-bearing from 9.9% APR. Practice-plan discounts apply to selected treatments — full terms are listed on the Fees and Plans pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions patientsask us.
A few of the things patients ask us most often. If your question isn't here, just get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
We aim to see every emergency patient the same day. The earlier in the day you call, the more likely we can fit you in before we close. If you call late in the day, it may be the next morning.
An emergency appointment starts from £92. That covers seeing you, working out what is wrong, and getting you out of pain. If you need further treatment, we give you the cost in writing first, so there are no surprises.
Yes. If you are registered somewhere else but cannot get seen, we are happy to see you for a one-off emergency appointment. You do not need to be an existing Waterside patient.
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, clean it gently with milk or saliva. If you can, put it back in the socket. If not, keep it in a pot of milk and call us straight away. Do not try to put a child's baby tooth back in, as it can damage the adult tooth underneath. The sooner you are seen, the better the chance of saving it.
We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm, and Saturday, 9am to 2pm by appointment, with evening appointments every Monday. We are not a 24-hour service. If you have a genuine medical emergency, such as heavy bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing or swallowing, or fast-spreading facial swelling, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent dental advice when we are closed, you can call NHS 111.
Getting you comfortable is our first priority. In most cases we can relieve the pain at your first visit, then plan any further treatment with you once you are out of pain.
Yes. A lot of people only come in when pain forces them to, often after a bad experience elsewhere. We take our time, we explain everything, and we use The Wand for almost pain-free injections. You can bring someone in with you or hold a nurse's hand.
If you are in pain, bleeding, swollen, or you have broken or lost a tooth, it is worth calling. We would rather you phoned and let us decide than sat at home worrying. If it can wait, we will tell you honestly.
Whether you'd like to book or just have a question about treatment, send us a message and a member of the team will get back to you — the same day wherever we can.
