NHS · Emergencies
Dental emergencies
Routine, urgent, or emergency — and what to do.
There is always an emergency NHS dentist available in your area, whether or not you’re registered. Here is how to tell what level of care you need, and how to manage pain safely at home meanwhile.
Which level of care?
Routine, urgent or emergency
See a dentist normally
Bleeding gums, sensitivity, mild pain, chips, lost fillings, loose crowns or dentures. Contact your dentist in open hours, or register if you’re not.
Within a week or two
Spreading infection (fever, swollen glands), facial swelling, severe pain, dental trauma, lockjaw, or suspected oral cancer. Call your dentist, or NHS 111 if closed/unregistered.
Right away
Bleeding that won’t stop after 60 minutes’ pressure, rapidly worsening swelling affecting your eye, breathing or swallowing, or a knocked-out tooth. Call your dentist, NHS 111, or go to A&E.
Managing pain at home
Most toothache can be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers — paracetamol and ibuprofen, taken together or separately, are effective for most dental pain. If you’re not sure whether they’re safe for you (for example with asthma, stomach ulcers, heart failure, or in pregnancy), ask a pharmacist or check the NHS 111 website. Shop own-brands are usually the best value. Temporary filling and cement kits can also help with a lost filling or crown until you’re seen.
A note on the product links: some links on this page are affiliate links — if you buy through them, care4teeth may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. They’re only ever for products we’d recommend anyway.
Watch
See how it works
A short film on getting urgent and emergency dental care, registered or not.
Know where to turn
For anything urgent, NHS 111 can assess you and arrange an emergency appointment, usually within 48 hours.