Emergency Dentist

What to Do Right Now

Urgent NHS dental treatment costs £27.40 (Band 1). See full pricing guide

What Should I Do Right Now?

In a dental emergency: call 999 for breathing difficulty or uncontrolled bleeding, call NHS 111 (free, 24/7) for severe pain, abscess, or a knocked-out tooth, or contact your dentist for a broken tooth or lost filling. You do not need to be registered to get urgent NHS dental care.

Select your situation below for detailed step-by-step instructions:

Is this a dental emergency?

Not every dental problem needs emergency treatment. Here's how to tell the difference — and where to go for each level of urgency.

The most important thing: don't wait and hope it goes away. Dental infections can spread quickly and become dangerous. If you're unsure, call NHS 111 — they'll tell you what to do.

When to call 999 or go to A&E

Go to A&E or call 999 immediately if you have:

• Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth that won't stop with pressure
• Severe swelling affecting your breathing or ability to swallow
• Swelling around the eye caused by a dental infection
• A serious injury to your face or jaw (from an accident, fall, or assault)
• Signs of a spreading infection: high fever, difficulty opening your mouth, swelling spreading down your neck

A&E is not the right place for toothache, broken teeth, or lost fillings — even if the pain is severe. For these, NHS 111 can get you seen faster.

When to call NHS 111

Call NHS 111 (free from any phone, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) if you have:

• Severe toothache that painkillers aren't controlling
• A dental abscess (painful swelling on the gum, sometimes with a bad taste)
• A knocked-out adult tooth (act fast — see guidance below)
• Significant swelling in the mouth, face, or jaw
• Bleeding after a tooth extraction that won't stop
• A broken tooth with sharp edges cutting your tongue or cheek

What happens when you call NHS 111

1. You'll answer some questions about your symptoms
2. A clinical advisor will assess your urgency
3. They'll either book you an appointment at an urgent dental care centre, or advise you on managing symptoms at home
4. Appointments are usually available the same day or next day

NHS 111 can direct you to urgent dental services even if you're not registered with any dentist. You don't need to be registered to get emergency care.

When to contact your dentist (or find one)

For problems that are painful or uncomfortable but not immediately dangerous, your first step is to contact a dental practice:

• Toothache (moderate pain, manageable with painkillers for a few hours)
• Lost or broken filling
• Chipped or cracked tooth (no sharp edges, no severe pain)
• Broken or loose crown or bridge
• Broken dentures
• Loose orthodontic bracket or wire

If you're registered with a dentist: Call your practice first. Most practices have emergency appointment slots or an out-of-hours answerphone message telling you what to do.

If you're NOT registered with a dentist: You have two options:

1. Call NHS 111 — they can find an urgent dental appointment for you
2. Search on Smylo — find dental practices near you that provide emergency appointments

What to do while you wait — first aid for common emergencies

Knocked-out adult tooth

Time is critical. You have about 30–60 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part) — never touch the root
2. If it's dirty, rinse gently with milk or saliva. Don't scrub it, don't use water
3. Try to put it back in the socket — push it in gently and bite down on a clean cloth to hold it
4. If you can't replant it, store it in milk (best option), saliva, or saline solution. Not water
5. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes if possible. Call NHS 111 immediately

Toothache

1. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen at the recommended dose (not both at the same time — alternate them if needed)
2. Do not put aspirin directly on the gum — this burns the tissue
3. Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water)
4. Apply a cold compress (ice wrapped in a cloth) to the outside of your cheek — 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off
5. Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet food and drink
6. Try to keep your head elevated when lying down

If pain doesn't improve within 24 hours, or gets worse, call NHS 111 or contact a dentist.

Dental abscess

An abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection. It usually appears as a painful swelling on the gum near the affected tooth, sometimes with a bad taste in your mouth.

1. Do not try to drain or squeeze the abscess yourself
2. Take painkillers (paracetamol and/or ibuprofen)
3. Rinse gently with warm salt water — this can help draw pus to the surface and relieve pressure
4. Call NHS 111 or your dentist — abscesses need professional treatment (usually antibiotics and/or drainage)

Broken or chipped tooth

1. Rinse your mouth with warm water
2. If there's bleeding, apply gauze for 10 minutes until it stops
3. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling
4. If the break has left a sharp edge, cover it with sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax (from pharmacies)
5. Save any large pieces of tooth — your dentist may be able to reattach them
6. Contact your dentist within 24 hours

Lost filling or crown

1. If a filling has fallen out, temporarily fill the hole with sugar-free chewing gum or over-the-counter temporary dental cement (e.g. Dentemp from pharmacies)
2. If a crown has come off, try to slide it back on using denture adhesive or toothpaste as temporary "glue". Don't use superglue
3. Avoid chewing on that side
4. See a dentist as soon as possible — within a few days. This is usually not a same-day emergency

Bleeding after tooth extraction

Some bleeding after an extraction is normal. If it continues:

1. Bite firmly on a clean piece of gauze or a damp tea bag (the tannic acid helps blood clot) for 20 minutes
2. Sit upright, don't lie down
3. Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, and strenuous activity for 24 hours
4. Don't rinse, spit, or suck through a straw — this can dislodge the blood clot

If bleeding is heavy and won't stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure, call NHS 111 or go to A&E.

What your pharmacist can do

Many people don't realise that pharmacists can help with dental pain without you needing to see a dentist first. Since January 2024, the NHS Pharmacy First service has been expanded.

Your pharmacist can:

• Recommend and sell appropriate painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine combinations)
• Provide temporary filling kits (Dentemp and similar products)
• Supply dental wax to cover sharp edges
• Advise on salt water rinses and oral hygiene
• Sell antiseptic mouthwashes (chlorhexidine)
• Refer you to NHS 111 if they think you need urgent dental care

A pharmacist cannot prescribe antibiotics for dental infections (only dentists and doctors can), examine inside your mouth, or perform any dental procedures.

How much does emergency dental treatment cost?

This includes temporary fillings, extraction of a painful tooth, and treatment of infections.

Important:

• This is a one-off charge for the emergency appointment
• If you need follow-up treatment (e.g. a permanent filling or crown), that will be a separate course of treatment charged at the appropriate band
• If you're seen at an urgent dental care centre through NHS 111, you pay the same £27.40

Free emergency treatment: You qualify for free emergency dental care under the same rules as standard NHS dental treatment — if you're under 18, pregnant, on certain benefits, or have an HC2 certificate. See full list of exemptions

How to find an emergency dentist near you

Option 1: Call NHS 111 (recommended)

The fastest way to get an urgent appointment if you're not registered with a dentist. NHS 111 has real-time information about available emergency dental slots and can book you in directly.

• Phone: 111 (free, 24/7)
• Online: 111.nhs.uk

Option 2: Contact your registered dentist

If you're registered with an NHS dentist, call your practice first. Most practices keep slots for emergencies. If the practice is closed, listen to the answerphone message — it should tell you how to access out-of-hours care.

Option 3: Search for practices with emergency appointments

Use Smylo to find NHS dental practices near you. Filter for practices that offer emergency appointments and check whether they're accepting new patients.

Option 4: NHS Dental Access Centres

Some areas have dedicated dental access centres (also called urgent dental care centres) that see patients without appointments or registration. NHS 111 can direct you to your nearest one.

Out-of-hours dental emergencies

Dental emergencies don't only happen during office hours. Here's what to do outside normal practice times:

Evenings and weekends

1. Call NHS 111 — they can arrange out-of-hours emergency dental appointments
2. Check your dentist's answerphone message for out-of-hours instructions
3. Visit a pharmacy for pain management while you wait

Bank holidays (including Christmas and Easter)

• NHS 111 operates 365 days a year
• Some areas run dedicated bank holiday dental services — NHS 111 will know what's available locally

Late at night

• For pain management: take painkillers, use cold compress, rinse with salt water
• If symptoms are severe or worsening: call NHS 111 (available 24 hours)
• If you can't breathe or bleeding won't stop: call 999

Dental emergencies in children

Children's dental emergencies can be particularly frightening for parents. Here's what's different:

Knocked-out baby tooth: Do not try to replant it. Clean the area, control bleeding with gauze, and see a dentist to check for damage to the adult tooth underneath. It's not usually a same-day emergency unless there's significant bleeding or injury.

Knocked-out adult tooth (child aged 6+): Follow the same replantation guidance as adults. Time is critical — try to reimplant the tooth and get to a dentist within 30 minutes.

Toothache in children: Give age-appropriate doses of paracetamol (Calpol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen for Children). Avoid aspirin in children under 16. Warm salt water rinses are suitable for children who can reliably spit (usually aged 6+).

Broken braces or orthodontic wires: Cover sharp ends with orthodontic wax (from pharmacies). Contact the orthodontist as soon as possible — this is rarely a true emergency.

What NOT to do in a dental emergency

Common mistakes that can make things worse:

• Don't put aspirin directly on your gum or tooth — it causes chemical burns to the soft tissue
• Don't use clove oil excessively — a tiny amount on cotton wool is fine, but too much irritates the gum
• Don't ignore a dental abscess — it will not go away on its own and can become life-threatening
• Don't try to pull out your own tooth — this can cause fractures, infection, and excessive bleeding
• Don't use superglue to re-attach a crown or filling — use denture adhesive or temporary cement instead
• Don't wait for Monday if you have a serious emergency on the weekend — call NHS 111 immediately

Preventing dental emergencies

While you can't prevent all emergencies, you can reduce the risk:

• Attend regular NHS check-ups (every 6–24 months as recommended by your dentist) — problems caught early rarely become emergencies
• Wear a mouthguard during contact sports (rugby, boxing, hockey, martial arts)
• Don't use your teeth to open bottles, tear packaging, or bite non-food objects
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels, or very hard sweets
• If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about a nightguard
• Don't ignore early signs of problems — sensitivity, mild pain, or bleeding gums

Not registered with a dentist yet? See our guide to finding an NHS dentist.

Frequently Asked Questions