What Counts as a Dental Emergency, and What to Do Next
A dental emergency is any situation where you are in significant pain, have suffered sudden physical damage to a tooth, or have signs of infection that may be spreading.
Common dental emergencies include severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, a broken or cracked tooth, a lost crown or filling causing pain, and dental abscesses with swelling. If you are in serious pain or have a swelling that is growing, you should contact a dentist today.
The harder question is the middle ground: the discomfort that is not quite severe, the chip that looks alarming but does not hurt, the filling that fell out at 11pm on a Sunday. This guide works through the most common situations and tells you what they typically mean and what to do next.
Situations that need same-day dental attention
The following situations should prompt you to call a dentist today, not wait for a routine appointment.
Severe toothache.
Pain that is constant, worsening, stopping you sleeping, or affecting your ability to eat or concentrate is a dental emergency. Toothache at this level usually means either significant decay reaching the nerve, a cracked tooth, or an abscess. None of these improve without treatment, and waiting usually makes them worse.
A knocked-out permanent tooth.
A permanent adult tooth that has been knocked out clean can sometimes be reimplanted if you act quickly. Keep the tooth moist, ideally in milk, or held carefully inside your cheek (away from children who might swallow it). Call a dentist immediately. Time matters: the longer the tooth is outside the mouth, the lower the chance of successful reimplantation. Do not put a knocked-out tooth back in a child's mouth if it might be a baby tooth, as baby teeth are not reimplanted.
A dental abscess.
An abscess is a pocket of infection. It typically causes a persistent, throbbing pain, often with swelling of the gum, jaw or face, a bad taste in the mouth, or both. Dental infections can spread if not treated, and a facial swelling that is increasing in size or spreading toward the eye or throat needs hospital attention, not just a dentist. If in any doubt, call NHS 111 or go to A&E.
A broken tooth with sharp edges or exposed nerve.
A tooth that has fractured and left a sharp edge can cut the tongue or cheek. A fracture that exposes the nerve will cause significant pain. Both warrant a same-day or next-day appointment.
Swelling in the jaw, face or gums that is growing.
Any soft tissue swelling that is increasing should be assessed today. As noted above, if it is spreading toward the throat or eye, go to A&E.
Situations that can usually wait a day or two
Not every urgent dental problem requires same-day treatment. Some can be managed at home in the short term while you arrange an appointment.
A lost filling that is not painful.
If a filling has come out and the tooth is not sensitive or hurting, you can usually wait a few days. A temporary filling material from a pharmacy can protect the tooth in the meantime and is worth using if the gap is collecting food. Arrange an appointment within the week.
A chipped or broken tooth with no nerve exposure.
A chip that has left a rough edge but is not causing pain can wait a few days. Dental wax from a pharmacy can smooth a sharp edge to protect the tongue and cheek while you wait. If the tooth becomes sensitive to temperature or pressure, that changes the picture.
A lost crown that is not causing pain.
If a crown has come off and the underlying tooth is not in pain, you can wait a day or two. Do not try to re-cement it yourself with household adhesive. Keep the crown somewhere safe and bring it to your appointment. Avoid chewing on that side if you can.
Mild sensitivity.
Occasional sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet is common and not usually an emergency. Persistent, triggered sensitivity that lasts more than a few seconds after the stimulus is removed, or sensitivity that has appeared suddenly and is getting worse, is worth getting checked sooner rather than later.
What to do before you can be seen
If you are in pain and waiting for an appointment:
Ibuprofen and paracetamol can both be used for dental pain, and alternating them as directed on the packaging is more effective than taking just one. Take them as directed if they are suitable for you.
Do not put aspirin directly on a tooth or gum. It does not help and can cause a chemical burn.
Clove oil applied with a cotton bud to the affected area can provide short-term relief. It is available from pharmacies.
Avoid very hot, very cold or very sweet food and drink if the tooth is sensitive.
If you have a lost filling, temporary filling material from a pharmacy can protect the tooth and reduce sensitivity.
For an abscess: do not apply heat to the face. Cold compresses may reduce swelling. Antibiotics from a GP can help manage the infection while you wait for dental treatment, but they do not resolve the underlying dental cause. You will still need to see a dentist.
When to go to A&E or call 999
Most dental emergencies do not require a hospital visit. Go to A&E or call 999 if:
Facial swelling is spreading rapidly, particularly toward the eye or throat.
You are having difficulty swallowing or breathing.
You have a high temperature alongside jaw pain or facial swelling.
A dental injury is part of a wider facial trauma that needs medical assessment.
These are uncommon but serious situations. When in doubt, call NHS 111 and describe your symptoms.
Common questions about dental emergencies
Is a toothache a dental emergency?
It depends on the severity. Mild, intermittent sensitivity is not usually an emergency. Toothache that is constant, worsening, keeping you awake, or affecting your daily life is a dental emergency and should be assessed as soon as possible. The sooner dental pain is treated, the less likely it is to become more serious.
What counts as a dental emergency outside surgery hours?
If you are a Somerhill Smiles patient, call the practice on 01273 059670 and listen to the answerphone for out-of-hours help. If you cannot reach a dentist, NHS 111 can advise and direct you to out-of-hours dental care. If you are in severe pain, have a spreading infection or abscess, or have a knocked-out permanent tooth, these count as emergencies regardless of the time of day.
Can I go to A&E with a toothache?
A&E departments are not set up to provide dental treatment and generally cannot help with toothache directly. They can help if you have a serious infection with facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or a high temperature. For toothache alone, contact a dentist or call NHS 111.
How quickly should I see a dentist after a dental injury?
For a knocked-out tooth, within the hour if at all possible. For a cracked or broken tooth with exposed nerve, today or tomorrow. For a chip with no pain, within a few days is usually fine. When in doubt, call the practice and describe what has happened. We can tell you whether it needs to be seen today.
If you are in pain or have a dental emergency and need to be seen quickly, call 01273 059670 from 8.30am or contact us online. Somerhill Smiles is at 212 Church Road, Hove, and offers same-day emergency appointments for registered and non-registered patients.
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