A dental emergency can be frightening, but knowing what to do can save a tooth and reduce pain significantly. Around 1.4 million people visit A&E for dental problems each year in England — many of which could be treated faster and more effectively by an emergency dentist. This guide tells you exactly what to do, where to go, and what it will cost.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental problem that needs immediate attention to stop bleeding, relieve severe pain, or save a tooth. True dental emergencies include:
Immediate First Aid Steps
What to do while you arrange to see a dentist:
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Knocked-out tooth | Pick up by the crown (not root), rinse gently with milk, try to re-insert into socket. If not possible, store in milk. See a dentist within 30 minutes. |
| Severe toothache | Take ibuprofen (not aspirin). Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek. Avoid hot or cold foods. |
| Broken tooth | Rinse mouth with warm salt water. Apply gauze to any bleeding. Use dental wax or sugar-free gum to cover sharp edges. |
| Lost filling/crown | Keep the crown if found. Use dental cement or sugar-free gum as a temporary fix. Avoid chewing on that side. |
| Abscess/swelling | Do not pop it. Rinse with warm salt water. Take painkillers. Seek urgent care — abscesses can spread. |
| Heavy bleeding | Apply firm pressure with clean gauze for 15–20 minutes. If bleeding does not stop, go to A&E. |
Where to Get Emergency Dental Care
Your options for urgent dental care, in order of preference:
1. **Your regular dentist** — Most practices reserve emergency slots. Call first thing in the morning. 2. **Another local practice** — If your dentist cannot see you, search for emergency dentists on OpenWide. 3. **NHS 111** — Call 111 for an emergency dental referral. They can direct you to an urgent dental care centre. 4. **Urgent Dental Care Centre** — NHS walk-in centres that handle dental emergencies. Available via NHS 111 referral. 5. **A&E (last resort)** — Only for life-threatening situations: uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing from swelling, facial fractures.
Emergency Dental Costs
The cost of emergency dental care depends on whether you are seen as NHS or private:
| Provider | Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| NHS urgent appointment | £26.80 | Emergency examination, X-rays, pain relief, temporary treatment |
| NHS follow-up treatment | £73.50 – £319.10 | Depends on treatment band (filling, extraction, crown) |
| Private emergency visit | £80 – £250 | Examination, X-rays, pain relief, temporary treatment |
| Private out-of-hours | £150 – £400 | Premium charge for evening/weekend emergency care |
| A&E (dental) | Free | Limited to pain relief and referral — not definitive treatment |
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While not all emergencies are preventable, you can reduce your risk:
Frequently Asked Questions
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