Dental emergencies can be frightening and painful and it’s not always obvious what to do. It’s important to know how to act if you have a dental emergency so you can be treated promptly and prevent any further complications. Use the guidance below to ensure you take the right steps in an emergency.
Go to A&E if your emergency is potentially life-threatening
Go to A&E immediately if your dental emergency could endanger your life. Some examples of issues which would need immediate medical treatment are: swelling that is affecting your breathing or preventing you from opening an eye, bleeding that cannot be controlled following a dental extraction, an accident or a dental trauma.
It is best to attend an emergency department that has a specialist department, so it is generally recommended to call 111 in order to be directed to the most appropriate service.
It is important to remember that dentists do not work in emergency departments, so routine dental care, including severe toothache, cannot be treated in these settings. It is therefore better to avoid going to A&E unless you need emergency medical care. If your dental issue does not fall under clear emergency criteria, you will be sent away.
It is also useful to know that patients that are more medically complex, for example those that are immunosuppressed, will be more likely to be seen in a hospital.
It is also useful to know that patients that are more medically complex, for example those that are immunosuppressed will be more likely to be seen in a hospital.
If you’re registered at a dental practice, you should contact them first. Many NHS practices are not taking new patients so it’s best to call a practice that you are registered at first.
Most dental practices keep several slots free per day for emergency appointments. The practice is likely to assess you based on the severity of your issue, and will see you if they have availability.
Often, emergency appointments are filled on a first-come-first-served basis so it’s better to call first thing in the morning if you can.
If you cannot get an appointment with a regular dentist, you can always call 111.
111 is the NHS phone line which helps people seek and receive help when they urgently need it. Unlike 999, it is not for life-threatening emergencies.
All patients who call 111 are assessed and the most urgent cases are seen first. Appointments are given on a first come first served basis so you are more likely to be seen if you call early in the day.
Depending on your local area, you might be seen at an emergency dental clinic or referred to a specific dentist who can see you for treatment. Many dentists take referrals from 111 so you might even be referred to a dentist who does not otherwise accept new NHS patients.
On certain days, there may be more patients with dental emergencies than can be seen on the NHS. You can try calling the next day but there is no guarantee that you will be seen and receive treatment.
If you are not registered with an NHS dentist, or your dentist does not have availability for you, we recommend contacting other NHS dentists in your area.
To find which local dentists are registering new NHS patients:
- Search your postcode on our homepage
- Filter the search results by ‘NHS appointments’
- Access each dentist’s contact information by selecting a dentist practice
We keep this information up to date to save our patients time in an emergency.
Sometimes a dental practice might have already filled their emergency slots. If this is the case, you can make an appointment for the following day or call another dentist.
If you cannot access emergency dental care on the NHS, or prefer private treatment, you may want to review private dentists in your area.
You can easily compare patient reviews, dentist prices and locations on our website. This means you will know rough costs in advance and can ensure you’re receiving the best treatment for you.
To compare private dentists in your area:
- Search your postcode on our homepage
- Sort the search results by ‘Rating’ or ‘Price’, depending on your preferences
- Access each dentist’s contact information by selecting a dental practice
Most private dentists have space for dental emergencies every working day, with some practices also offering them on weekends. To be most likely to receive a same-day slot, we recommend calling when the practice opens in the morning.
For out-of-hours emergencies, such as at evenings and weekends, you may find there is a callout fee.
Some dentists include the cost of treatment in their emergency appointment fee, whilst others will ask for an additional fee for treatments. This will often depend on the type of dental emergency and varies from practice to practice.
Once your dental emergency has been resolved, we strongly advise that you follow your dentist’s advice. You might well be advised to see a dentist for a routine check-up, and to understand if you need a treatment plan for any other issues.
You can book a routine appointment at any NHS or private practice. All you will need to do is register and attend. You don’t need to see the same dentist you saw for your dental emergency.
If you do opt to receive private dental care, you might find the appointment is longer and you have more time to discuss any concerns with your dentist. For complex treatment plans, this can be very beneficial.
Dental pain can sometimes seem to go away on its own. It is very important not to ignore the problem and assume that the tooth has fixed itself.
The most serious dental infections can happen when there is an ongoing problem with the teeth or gums. These tooth infections can reoccur and are often more serious than previously. It is therefore very important to see a dentist if you experience any episodes of pain, even if you are no longer suffering from pain. Your dentist will be able to recommend treatment and prevent the problem from becoming worse.
How can I know if my dental issue qualifies as a dental emergency?
As a general rule of thumb, if you are in significant pain and unable to eat then it is a dental emergency.
The most concerning and critical symptoms are: swelling that affects your breathing or vision, or uncontrollable bleeding after an extraction or accident. If you are suffering from any of the above, you should go directly to A&E for emergency care.
If you are experiencing severe pain after a dental extraction or dental trauma, and pain relief does not reduce your symptoms, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. You should also contact your dentist if you have swelling that is not affecting your breathing or vision.
If you are not registered at a dental practice, or it is out of hours, you should contact NHS 111.
If you are experiencing milder symptoms, such as swollen gums, toothache, or a lost filling or crown, then you are likely not experiencing a dental emergency. You should still be seen by a dentist, but these symptoms are not considered life-threatening and so are not considered an emergency.
To determine how serious your dental issue is, read our blog post on Identifying a dental emergency [link]. This post will guide you through the various different types of dental issues in more detail.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency out of hours and my dental practice is closed?
If you suffer a dental emergency outside of regular office hours or when your regular dentist is unavailable, there are still ways to seek help.
A&E departments are equipped to treat life-threatening dental emergencies, such as severe swelling around your mouth or significant bleeding, but there are no facilities to provide routine dental care.
If your dental emergency is not life-threatening, then you should call 111, the NHS phone line for urgent medical assistance. You should then be referred to an emergency clinic that offers after-hours dental care. It is advisable to call early in the morning as urgent appointments fill up quickly.
Are there any temporary measures I can take at home to alleviate pain or discomfort while waiting for a dental appointment?
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort whilst waiting for a dental appointment, there are some steps you can take at home to manage your symptoms.
Over-the-counter pain relief. These can help alleviate dental pain temporarily. Evidence shows that alternating paracetemol and ibroprofen can be particularly effective at reducing swelling and inflammation alongside managing pain.
Be careful to take only the recommended daily dose of any pain relief: an overdose of paracetamol in particular can be life-threatening.
Applying a cold compress. This can reduce swelling and inflammation and provide temporary release.
Buying temporary treatments from pharmacies. You can buy temporary filling kits, temporary cement for crowns and bridges, and denture repair kits from pharmacies. These can reduce discomfort, particularly if your tooth has sharp edges that are cutting your mouth or tongue. These treatments are only temporary and should be used as dental first aid rather than as a long-term solution.
Reviewed by Dr. Emily Black BDS(Bris) GDC 296586