Dental emergencies can be painful and worrying, and they rarely happen at a convenient time. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes and hours can make a real difference. Here is a quick guide to the most common dental emergencies and what to do while you wait to be seen.
If you are in pain or have had an accident, call us on 01494 527971 as early in the day as possible. We keep time aside for emergencies and will do our best to see you quickly. Outside of opening hours, call NHS 111.
Go to a&e if you have swelling affecting your breathing, swallowing or vision, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or a head injury.
Severe toothache: take over-the-counter pain relief as directed, keep your head raised and use a cold compress on your cheek. Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks.
Knocked-out adult tooth: hold it by the crown, rinse briefly in milk if dirty, and try to push it back into the socket. If you cannot, keep it in milk and get to a dentist within an hour. Do not replant baby teeth.
Chipped or broken tooth: rinse your mouth with warm water, keep any broken pieces in milk and cover sharp edges with sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax.
Lost filling or crown: keep the crown safe. You can buy temporary filling material or dental cement from a pharmacy to protect the tooth until you are seen. Do not use household glue.
Swelling or abscess: rinse with warm salt water and take pain relief. Do not apply heat to the outside of your face. Call us straight away, as infections can spread.
Bleeding after an extraction: bite firmly on a clean, damp gauze or handkerchief for 20 minutes without checking. If it does not stop, call us or NHS 111.
Something stuck between teeth: try gently with floss. Never use sharp objects.
Urgent NHS dental treatment costs £27.90 from april 2026. A private emergency appointment at castle street costs £50.
Many emergencies can be avoided with regular check-ups, which catch problems like decay and cracked fillings early, and a custom mouth guard for contact sports.
If you are in pain, please do not wait. Call our team on 01494 527971.
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