What to do in a dental emergency

Dental problems can be painful and worrying, and it’s not always obvious whether you need to be seen straight away. This guide explains which dental problems need urgent attention, what you can do while you wait, and when to seek emergency medical help instead.

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Is my dental problem an emergency?

Contact a dentist urgently if you have:

• Severe tooth or mouth pain that isn’t settling
• A knocked-out adult tooth
• A badly broken or damaged tooth
• Swelling in your mouth, face or jaw
• A suspected dental abscess
• Bleeding after dental treatment that’s difficult to control
• A dental injury
• A broken or loose filling, crown, bridge or veneer causing significant pain
• Severe pain or swelling around a wisdom tooth

Some problems may not need treatment immediately, but contact a dentist if the problem persists or you’re unsure.

If you need an emergency dental appointment anywhere in South West London or Surrey, contact us immediately – whether you are an existing patient or not. We are open 6 days a week for dental emergencies and aim to treat them as quickly and painlessly as possible.

What to do for common dental emergencies

Severe toothache

Toothache can have several causes, including decay, infection, a cracked tooth or gum problems. While waiting to see a dentist:

• Follow the instructions for suitable over-the-counter pain relief, or ask a pharmacist for advice
• Eat softer foods and avoid chewing on the painful tooth
• Avoid very hot, cold or sugary foods if they make the pain worse
• Keep the area clean with gentle brushing

Contact a dentist if the pain lasts, is severe, affects your sleep or daily activities, or comes with swelling, a high temperature or a bad taste in your mouth.

Swelling or a dental abscess

A dental abscess is an infection and needs treatment from a dentist, it won’t go away permanently with home treatment alone. Contact a dentist urgently if you think you have an abscess, particularly with increasing pain, swelling, difficulty opening your mouth or a high temperature. If swelling makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak, or is spreading towards your eye or neck, seek emergency medical help.

A knocked-out tooth

A knocked-out adult tooth needs urgent dental attention. If possible:

1. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root.
2. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or saliva. Don’t scrub it.
3. If it goes back into the socket easily, gently place it back in position.
4. If you can’t put it back, keep it in milk or saliva.
5. Contact a dentist immediately.

Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket.

A broken, chipped or cracked tooth

If part of the tooth has broken off, keep the fragment if you can and store it in milk or saliva until you see a dentist. Avoid chewing on the affected side and contact a dentist. A small chip may not need immediate treatment, but a badly broken tooth, significant pain or an injury should be assessed urgently.

A lost filling or crown

A lost filling or crown should be checked by a dentist as soon as possible, particularly if the tooth is painful or sensitive. Until your appointment, avoid chewing on the affected tooth, keep the area clean, and keep the crown if it’s come out completely. Contact your dentist as soon as you can so the tooth can be assessed and the restoration repaired or replaced.

Broken or damaged dentures

If your denture breaks, chips or a tooth comes loose, stop using it if it’s uncomfortable or unsafe to wear and contact your dentist as soon as possible for advice and repair.

Bleeding from the mouth

If you have bleeding following an injury or dental treatment, apply firm pressure with clean gauze or a clean cloth. Contact a dentist if the bleeding continues or you’re concerned. If the bleeding is heavy and won’t stop, seek emergency medical help.

Problems with braces

A broken wire or loose bracket can cause discomfort and irritation. If a wire is rubbing your cheek or gum, orthodontic wax can help protect the area temporarily. Contact your dentist or orthodontist to arrange a repair. Don’t attempt to make major adjustments to your braces yourself.

Wisdom tooth pain

Pain around a wisdom tooth can be caused by inflammation or infection around the tooth. Keep the area as clean as you comfortably can and contact a dentist if the pain is severe, persists, or you develop swelling, difficulty opening your mouth or other signs of infection.

What happens at an urgent dental appointment?

Your dentist will assess the problem and work out what’s causing your symptoms. Depending on the issue, this may include an examination and X-rays.

The first priority is usually to manage the immediate problem, relieve pain where possible and prevent the condition from getting worse. Sometimes treatment can be completed during the same appointment. In other cases, your dentist may provide initial treatment and arrange a follow-up appointment for the definitive treatment.

You’ll be told what treatment is recommended and any associated costs before going ahead.

Emergency Dental Appointments FAQs

Reviewed by Dr Smita Mehra, BDS MFGDPRCS LFHom, Principal Dentist, GDC 73019