Emergency Dentist: What to Do, Where to Go & How Much It Costs (UK Guide)

If you're in dental pain right now, here's what to do: call your regular dentist first — even outside normal hours, most practices have an answerphone message directing you to emergency cover. If you can't reach them, call NHS 111 (available 24/7) or use the 111 online service. They will assess your situation and arrange an urgent appointment, usually within 24 hours. Do not go to A&E unless you have uncontrollable bleeding, difficulty breathing, or facial trauma — emergency departments cannot provide dental treatment.

This guide explains everything you need to know about handling a dental emergency in the UK.

Step-by-step: what to do right now

Step 1: Call your registered dentist

If you're registered with a dentist (NHS or private), call them first:

• During working hours — they should see you as an urgent case, often on the same day
• Outside hours — listen to the answerphone message. Most practices provide an out-of-hours emergency number or direct you to a local emergency dental service

If you're a registered patient, your practice has a duty to provide urgent care or arrange cover during evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Step 2: Call NHS 111

If you can't reach your dentist, or you're not registered anywhere:

• Phone: Call 111 — free from landlines and mobiles, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Online: Visit 111.nhs.uk and select "dental problems"
• What happens: A trained adviser assesses your symptoms and directs you to the right service. They can book you into an NHS urgent dental clinic or advise you on self-care

NHS 111 can arrange an urgent appointment at a local dental access centre, typically within 24 hours for genuine emergencies. In London, they may refer you to the London Dental Triage Service for same-day access.

Step 3: Consider a private emergency dentist

If you want to be seen immediately and can pay privately:

• Many private dental practices offer same-day emergency appointments — call practices near you directly
• Some areas have private walk-in dental clinics open evenings and weekends
• Private emergency appointments typically cost £50–£150 for assessment and basic treatment

Step 4: Only go to A&E for serious trauma

Do not go to A&E for toothache. Hospital emergency departments do not have dental equipment and cannot treat dental problems. They can only prescribe painkillers and antibiotics.

Go to A&E only if you have:

• Uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing due to mouth/jaw swelling
• Facial trauma (broken jaw, teeth knocked out in an accident)
• Severe swelling spreading to the eye or neck area

The NHS advises that dental pain, even severe pain, should be managed through dental services rather than A&E.

What counts as a dental emergency?

Not all dental problems need urgent treatment. Here's how to assess:

See a dentist urgently (within 24 hours)

• Severe, constant toothache that doesn't respond to painkillers
• Dental abscess — swelling in the gum or face, often with throbbing pain and possible fever
• Broken or knocked-out tooth — especially if the nerve is exposed (you'll see pink/red tissue)
• Lost filling or crown exposing sensitive tooth structure
• Significant bleeding after an extraction that won't stop with pressure
• Broken denture if you cannot eat without it
• Facial swelling related to a dental infection

Can wait for a routine appointment (within days/weeks)

• Mild, intermittent toothache
• Small chip with no pain or sensitivity
• Lost filling with no pain (cover with temporary filling material from a pharmacy)
• Sore or bleeding gums
• Broken brace wire causing irritation (use orthodontic wax as a temporary measure)

Go to A&E immediately

• Uncontrollable oral bleeding
• Facial trauma with suspected jaw fracture
• Severe swelling affecting breathing or vision
• Dental injury as part of a head injury

The British Dental Association has published guidance to help patients assess whether their problem needs urgent or routine care.

Managing dental pain while you wait

If you're waiting for an appointment, these steps can help manage pain:

Over-the-counter painkillers

• Ibuprofen (400mg, up to 3 times daily with food) — the most effective painkiller for dental pain because it reduces inflammation. Available from any pharmacy
• Paracetamol (500mg–1g, up to 4 times daily) — can be taken alongside ibuprofen for stronger relief
• Do not exceed recommended doses. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum — this causes chemical burns

The NHS recommends ibuprofen as the first-line painkiller for toothache, taken with food to protect your stomach.

At-home relief

• Cold compress — hold a wrapped ice pack against the outside of your cheek for 15–20 minutes. This reduces swelling and numbs the area
• Salt water rinse — dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in warm water and rinse gently. This helps with gum infections and can reduce bacteria
• Clove oil — available from pharmacies. Apply a small amount on cotton wool to the painful tooth. Contains eugenol, a natural anaesthetic. The Oral Health Foundation notes clove oil as a traditional remedy with some evidence for temporary relief
• Elevate your head — when sleeping, use an extra pillow to keep your head raised. This reduces blood pressure to the area and can ease throbbing pain
• Avoid triggers — stay away from very hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks that may worsen the pain

What NOT to do

• Don't ignore severe swelling — a spreading dental infection can become life-threatening. If swelling is affecting your ability to swallow or breathe, go to A&E
• Don't place aspirin on the gum — this causes burns to the soft tissue
• Don't try to extract your own tooth — this risks infection, nerve damage, and broken root fragments
• Don't ignore a knocked-out tooth — time is critical (see below)

What to do if a tooth is knocked out

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a genuine dental emergency where time matters:

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part) — never touch the root
2. If it's dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saliva (not water)
3. Try to push it back into the socket — hold it in place by gently biting on a clean cloth
4. If you can't reinsert it — place it in a small container of milk, or hold it inside your cheek (between gum and cheek)
5. See a dentist within 30 minutes if possible — the sooner the tooth is reimplanted, the better the chance of saving it

The Dental Trauma Guide — an evidence-based resource used by dental professionals — confirms that teeth reimplanted within 30 minutes have the highest survival rate. After 60 minutes, success rates drop significantly.

Important: This only applies to permanent (adult) teeth. Do not try to reimplant a child's baby tooth — see a dentist for assessment instead.

How much does emergency dental treatment cost?

NHS emergency dental costs

If NHS 111 arranges an urgent appointment for you, you'll pay the standard NHS band charges:

If you're exempt from NHS charges (under 18, pregnant, on qualifying benefits), emergency dental care is free. Check your eligibility on the NHS exemptions page.

Private emergency dental costs

Private emergency fees vary significantly. Call ahead and ask for the cost before attending — most practices will give you an estimate over the phone.

Emergency dental services in London

London has several dedicated emergency dental access points:

• NHS 111 — the fastest route to NHS urgent dental care in London. Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk. They coordinate the London Dental Triage Service
• Guy's Hospital Dental Department — one of the largest dental hospitals in Europe, accessible via NHS 111 referral. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust
• King's College Hospital Dental Institute — emergency dental service available via referral. King's College Hospital
• Royal London Hospital — urgent dental care through A&E for trauma cases. Barts Health NHS Trust
• Private emergency dentists — many central London practices offer same-day emergency appointments for walk-in patients

For other UK cities, NHS 111 will direct you to your nearest urgent dental care centre.

Out-of-hours and weekend dental care

NHS dental services outside normal working hours are managed through NHS 111. Here's what to expect:

• Evenings and weekends — NHS 111 can arrange an appointment at a local out-of-hours dental clinic. These are often based at dental access centres or hospital dental departments
• Bank holidays — the same NHS 111 route applies. Some private practices also open on bank holidays
• Christmas and New Year — NHS 111 maintains dental cover throughout the holiday period, though capacity may be reduced
• Walk-in availability — NHS urgent dental clinics generally do not accept walk-ins. You need a referral through NHS 111 or your dentist

Some private dental practices advertise extended hours (evenings, Saturdays, some Sundays). If you prefer private care, search for "emergency dentist" with your area to find practices with weekend availability.

How to prevent dental emergencies

Most dental emergencies can be prevented with regular care:

• Attend regular check-ups — every 6–12 months, as recommended by your dentist. The NICE guidelines recommend recall intervals based on individual risk
• Don't delay treatment — a small cavity left untreated becomes a large cavity that becomes an abscess. Early treatment is cheaper and less painful
• Wear a mouthguard for sports — custom-fitted guards from your dentist offer the best protection. The British Dental Association recommends mouthguards for all contact sports
• Don't use teeth as tools — opening bottles, tearing packaging, and biting thread can chip or crack teeth
• Manage grinding — if you grind your teeth at night, a night guard protects against cracks and fractures
• Maintain good oral hygiene — brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and see a hygienist regularly. The Oral Health Foundation provides comprehensive guidance on daily care

Frequently asked questions

Can I go to A&E for toothache?

You can, but they won't be able to treat the cause. A&E departments don't have dental chairs or dental equipment. They can prescribe painkillers and antibiotics and may refer you to a dental service, but they cannot fill a tooth, perform a root canal, or extract a tooth. The NHS is clear that dental problems should be managed through dental services. Call NHS 111 instead — they'll get you to the right place faster.

Will NHS 111 definitely get me a dentist appointment?

NHS 111 will assess your situation and, if clinically appropriate, arrange an urgent dental appointment. This is usually within 24 hours for genuine emergencies, and within 7 days for urgent but non-emergency problems. In some areas with high demand, waiting times may be longer. If your situation worsens while waiting, call 111 again for reassessment.

How much does an emergency dentist cost UK?

Through the NHS (via 111 referral), emergency dental treatment costs £26.80 (Band 1) for assessment, diagnosis and temporary treatment, or £73.50 (Band 2) if you need fillings or extractions. Some patients are exempt from charges. Private emergency dentists charge £50–£150 for assessment and basic treatment. See the NHS dental charges page for current prices.

What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?

Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse it briefly in milk if dirty, and try to push it back into the socket. If you can't reinsert it, store it in milk and get to a dentist within 30 minutes. The faster a tooth is reimplanted, the higher the survival rate. Do not let the root dry out. This applies to adult teeth only — do not reimplant baby teeth.

What do I do if I have a dental emergency at night?

Call your regular dentist's out-of-hours number (usually on their answerphone), or call NHS 111. They operate 24/7 and can arrange an urgent appointment at an out-of-hours dental clinic. If you have severe, uncontrolled bleeding or difficulty breathing, call 999.

What painkillers are best for toothache?

Ibuprofen (400mg with food, up to 3 times daily) is the most effective over-the-counter painkiller for dental pain because it's an anti-inflammatory. You can take paracetamol alongside ibuprofen for stronger relief. Do not exceed recommended doses. If pain is not controlled by over-the-counter medication, this is a sign you need urgent dental treatment — call your dentist or NHS 111.

This guide provides general information only and is not medical or dental advice. In a medical emergency (difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness), always call 999. For dental emergencies, contact your dentist or NHS 111. Pearlie does not provide dental advice — all treatment decisions should be discussed with a GDC-registered dentist.