What actually counts as a dental emergency
A dental emergency is severe or persistent toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown, bleeding that won't stop, an object stuck between teeth, or any swelling of the face or gum.
You don't need to be an existing patient or have a referral to be seen urgently. Ring and describe what's happened — urgent dental care at Pure Elegant Smile is normally provided the same day.
Swelling that affects your breathing, swallowing or eye needs A&E or 999 — not a dentist, however urgent the dental side of it feels.
Say what hurts, how long it's been hurting, and whether there's any swelling. That's what decides how quickly you need to be seen.
What to do right now, for each situation
A tooth has been knocked out
- Hold it by the crown, not the root, and don't scrub it clean.
- If you can, put it straight back into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth.
- If you can't, keep it in milk and bring it with you.
- Ring us immediately — the sooner an adult tooth is replanted, the better its chance of being saved.
A crown or filling has come out
Keep it and bring it in — it can often be re-cemented. Don't try to stick it back yourself with household glue, which makes a proper repair harder. Ring the same day, since the exposed tooth underneath is vulnerable.
Severe or worsening toothache
Ring and describe how long it's hurt and whether there's swelling — that decides how urgently you're seen. Often the first thing we can do is relieve the pressure and pain, then complete any treatment at a planned appointment.
Facial or gum swelling
Ring us the same day. If the swelling is spreading, or affects your breathing, swallowing or an eye, go straight to A&E or call 999 instead.
Out of hours or on a Wednesday
For anything that can't wait until we reopen, NHS 111 can assess you and arrange urgent dental care in England. For difficulty breathing or swallowing, spreading facial swelling, or serious injury, go straight to A&E or call 999.
Related reading
- Wisdom tooth extraction: what to expect — including what a dry socket feels like.
- What happens during root canal treatment — often the first step in saving a badly infected tooth.
- Sedation dentistry for nervous patients — if fear is making an already painful situation worse.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a registered patient to be seen in an emergency?
No. You don't need to be registered with us and you don't need a referral — just ring and describe what's happened.
I'm terrified of the dentist but I'm in agony. What happens?
Say so when you ring. We numb the gum with a gel before any injection and give the anaesthetic time to work, and oral and inhalation sedation is available. Being in pain and frightened at the same time is grim — we'll take it at your pace.
Will you definitely take a badly damaged tooth out?
Only if it genuinely can't be saved, and only with your agreement. Saving a tooth with a filling or root canal treatment is almost always preferable to removing it — you'll be told honestly which situation you're in.
In pain right now?
Reviewed by Dr Nader Gavgani, GDC 75484