Dental emergency? What to do, and when to go to A&E

Most dental problems aren’t emergencies, but some need help quickly. Here’s who to contact and when.

Go to A&E or call 999 if you have

• serious injuries to your face, mouth or jaw
• heavy bleeding from your mouth that won’t stop
• severe swelling of your mouth, lips, throat or neck and you’re finding it hard to breathe or swallow
• a head or face injury that made you lose consciousness, or that causes vomiting or double vision

Get an urgent dental appointment if you have

• a knocked-out adult tooth (this needs help within an hour if possible)
• severe toothache or mouth pain that painkillers don’t help
• swelling in your mouth or face
• bleeding or severe pain after having a tooth out
• a mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed after two weeks, or a lump or patch in your mouth that won’t go away
• a broken tooth, or a crown, filling or brace that’s broken or come loose

Who to contact

1. Your own dentist, if you have one. Many practices keep urgent appointments free each day, so phone as soon as they open.
2. NHS 111, online or by phone, if you don’t have a dentist or it’s out of hours. They can arrange an urgent appointment.
3. A pharmacist can advise on pain relief and common mouth problems while you wait.

On Toothfully you can also find practices that list emergency and urgent appointments in your town. Phone first: they may only have a few slots each day.

If an adult tooth is knocked out

Hold it by the top (the white part), not the root. If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. If you can, gently push it back into its socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If you can’t, keep it in milk or in your cheek, and get to a dentist straight away. Don’t try to put a baby tooth back in.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you’re worried, contact NHS 111 or your dentist. Last checked September 2026.