Emergency Dentist Near Me: What to Do for Dental Emergencies in the UK

Last updated: December 2025. This guide provides NHS-approved emergency dental advice.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Knowing what counts as an emergency and how to respond quickly can save your tooth and prevent serious complications. This guide covers everything you need to know about accessing emergency dental care in the UK.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not all dental problems are emergencies. Understanding the difference helps you get the right care at the right time.

True Dental Emergencies (Seek Immediate Care)

• Knocked-out permanent tooth - Time-critical: ideally reimplanted within 30 minutes
• Severe facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
• Uncontrollable bleeding that won't stop after 20 minutes of pressure
• Severe pain not helped by over-the-counter painkillers
• Dental abscess with signs of spreading infection (fever, difficulty swallowing)

Urgent Issues (Same-Day or Next-Day Appointment)

• Broken tooth causing pain or sharp edges
• Lost filling or crown causing discomfort
• Partially dislodged tooth
• Broken dentures you need for eating

Can Wait for Regular Appointment

• Minor chip with no pain
• Slight sensitivity
• Routine toothache that responds to painkillers

Step-by-Step Emergency First Aid

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-critical. Quick action can save the tooth.

"Ideally, reimplantation should take place within 30 minutes. Teeth treated within 30 minutes to one hour have the best chance of success." — NHS, Knocked-out Tooth

What to do:

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part) - never touch the root
2. If dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saliva (not water)
3. Try to reinsert it into the socket, biting gently on a clean cloth
4. If you can't reinsert it, store in milk or your own saliva
5. Get to a dentist or A&E within 30 minutes

Important: Baby teeth should NOT be reimplanted as this can damage the developing adult tooth.

Severe Toothache

• Take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol) following the packet instructions
• Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt in a glass of water)
• Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks
• Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping
• Contact NHS 111 or your dentist for an urgent appointment

Broken or Chipped Tooth

• Save any tooth fragments in milk
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
• Apply dental wax or sugar-free gum to cover sharp edges
• Take painkillers if needed
• Book a dental appointment (usually not a true emergency unless there's severe pain)

Lost Filling or Crown

• Keep the crown if you find it
• Clean the crown and try placing it back temporarily with denture adhesive or toothpaste
• Never use household glue
• Temporary filling kits are available from pharmacies
• Book a dental appointment within a few days

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by bacterial infection. It will not go away on its own and requires treatment.

"A dental abscess will not go away on its own. See a dentist as soon as possible." — NHS, Dental Abscess

Warning signs requiring immediate care:

• Fever or feeling generally unwell
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling spreading to your eye, neck, or chest
• Difficulty opening your mouth

Call 999 if swelling affects your breathing or you have severe difficulty swallowing.

Bleeding That Won't Stop

• Sit upright and avoid lying down
• Apply firm pressure with damp gauze or a clean cloth for 20 minutes
• Don't keep checking - continuous pressure is essential
• Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, and strenuous activity
• If bleeding continues after 20 minutes of firm pressure, contact NHS 111 or go to A&E

How to Find an Emergency Dentist

NHS 111 - Your First Port of Call

For dental emergencies outside normal hours, NHS 111 is the primary route to emergency care.

How to access:

• Online: Visit 111.nhs.uk
• Phone: Call 111 (available 24/7, calls are free)

The dental triage team will assess your symptoms and either:

• Provide self-care advice
• Book you an urgent appointment at an NHS dental clinic
• Direct you to an out-of-hours service

During Normal Hours

• Contact your regular dentist first - most practices keep emergency slots
• If you don't have a dentist, call NHS 111 for help finding one
• Search for NHS dentists at nhs.uk/find-a-dentist

When to Go to A&E

"You should only go to A&E for a dental problem if you have swelling that threatens your airway, uncontrollable bleeding, severe facial trauma, or signs of systemic infection." — NHS Guidance

A&E is appropriate ONLY for:

• Facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Broken jaw or severe facial trauma
• Signs of serious infection (high fever, difficulty breathing, confusion)

A&E cannot provide routine dental treatment - they will only manage life-threatening complications and refer you to a dentist.

Emergency Dental Treatment Costs (2025)

NHS Charges

Emergency dental treatment is covered under the standard NHS band system.

Most emergency treatment falls under Band 1 or Band 2.

Regional Variations

• Wales: Band 1 £20.00, Band 2 £60.00, Band 3 £260.00
• Scotland: 80% of treatment cost, capped at £384.88
• Northern Ireland: 80% of treatment cost, capped at £384.88

Private Emergency Dentists

If you can't access NHS care or prefer private treatment:

• Emergency consultation: £100-£250
• Out-of-hours fee: £150-£300+
• Emergency extraction: £250-£400

Who Gets Free Emergency Treatment?

You qualify for free NHS dental treatment if you're:

• Under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education)
• Pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• Receiving Universal Credit (with earnings of £935 or less)
• Receiving Income Support, Pension Credit, or certain other benefits
• Named on a valid HC2 certificate

Note: NHS tax credit exemptions ended on 5 April 2025.

Key Statistics

Dental emergencies are more common than you might think:

• 3.5 million urgent dental treatments performed by NHS each year
• 52,000 A&E visits annually for dental abscesses alone
• 82% of new patients struggle to access NHS dental care in some areas

In February 2025, the government announced 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments to help address the access crisis.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

While not all emergencies are preventable, you can reduce your risk:

• Attend regular check-ups - problems caught early rarely become emergencies
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and activities
• Don't use teeth as tools - no opening bottles or tearing packages
• Avoid chewing ice or hard sweets
• Address small problems promptly - a small filling is better than waiting until you need emergency treatment

Conclusion

Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can save your tooth and prevent serious complications. Remember:

1. For knocked-out teeth, act within 30 minutes
2. NHS 111 is your first call for out-of-hours emergencies
3. A&E is only for life-threatening situations
4. Keep your dentist's emergency number saved in your phone

If you're experiencing a dental emergency, don't wait - seek help immediately.