Emergency Dentist

An emergency dentist provides urgent care for dental problems that cannot wait for a routine appointment — severe toothache, a knocked-out or broken tooth, a dental abscess, swelling, or bleeding that will not stop. Appointments are usually offered the same day to relieve pain and treat the immediate cause.

A dental emergency is any problem that needs urgent attention, such as severe or worsening toothache, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, a dental abscess or facial swelling, or bleeding that will not stop. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, treat it as a medical emergency and go to A&E.

Yes. NHS urgent dental care is available for genuine emergencies. You can contact your own dentist, call NHS 111, or use a local urgent dental service, and you may be charged the NHS urgent treatment band fee. Many private practices also offer same-day emergency appointments.

Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help, taken as directed. Rinsing with warm salt water and avoiding very hot, cold, or sugary food may ease symptoms. These are temporary measures only, and you should still see a dentist as soon as possible to treat the cause.