Emergency NHS Dental Care
Updated 28 March 2026
A dental emergency can happen at any time. Here is what to do, who to call, what it costs, and what treatment you can expect on the NHS.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental problem is an emergency. Understanding the difference helps you get the right care in the right place, without unnecessary trips to A&E.
- !Severe toothache that painkillers cannot control
- !Swelling in the face, mouth, or neck
- !Bleeding from the mouth that does not stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure
- !A knocked-out adult tooth (keep it moist, act within 30 minutes)
- !A broken jaw or severe facial injury
- !An abscess causing significant swelling or fever
- -Mild toothache that responds to over-the-counter painkillers
- -A small chip that is not causing pain
- -A lost filling with no pain
- -Loose orthodontic wire (use wax from your orthodontist kit)
- -Sensitive teeth
- -Bleeding gums during brushing
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Follow these steps depending on the severity and timing of your emergency.
If your dental practice is open, call them first. Most NHS practices keep emergency slots each day for registered patients. Explain your symptoms clearly and they will advise whether you need to come in immediately or can wait for a scheduled appointment. If you are registered with the practice, this is always the fastest route to treatment.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 111 and explain your symptoms. A trained advisor will assess whether you need emergency dental treatment and direct you to the nearest out-of-hours dental service. You can also use the NHS 111 online service at 111.nhs.uk. In some areas, NHS 111 can book you directly into an emergency dental clinic.
Go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department if you have uncontrolled bleeding, severe swelling that is affecting your breathing or swallowing, or significant facial trauma (broken jaw, deep lacerations). A&E does not provide routine dental treatment and will not fill a tooth or treat toothache, but they will stabilise serious conditions and refer you onwards.
Every area in England has an urgent dental care service that accepts patients who are not registered with an NHS dentist. NHS 111 can direct you to these services. They are designed specifically for people who have dental pain but no regular dentist. The treatment is charged at the standard NHS urgent rate of £26.80.
What Emergency NHS Dental Treatment Covers
Emergency treatment focuses on relieving pain and addressing the immediate problem. It is not a full course of treatment.
Included in the £26.80 urgent charge
- +Diagnosis of the problem
- +Pain relief (including local anaesthetic)
- +Temporary fillings
- +Drainage of an abscess
- +Emergency extraction if necessary
- +Prescription for antibiotics if clinically needed
- +Re-cementing a crown or bridge that has come loose
Not included (requires follow-up)
- -Permanent fillings (temporary only at emergency)
- -Root canal treatment
- -New crowns, bridges, or dentures
- -Cosmetic repairs
- -Comprehensive examination or X-rays beyond the emergency
What to Do If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out
A knocked-out adult tooth is one of the few dental situations where acting in minutes can save the tooth. Here is the correct procedure recommended by the NHS.
Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part). Do not touch the root. The cells on the root surface are what allow the tooth to reattach.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline. Do not scrub it, do not use tap water for more than a few seconds, and do not wrap it in tissue.
Try to put it back in the socket. Push it in gently with your fingers and bite down on a clean cloth to hold it in place. This gives the tooth the best chance of survival.
If you cannot reinsert it, keep it moist. Place it in a cup of milk or hold it inside your cheek (between your cheek and gum). Do not let it dry out.
Get to a dentist within 30 minutes. The sooner the tooth is reimplanted by a professional, the better the prognosis. After an hour, the chances of successful reimplantation drop significantly.
This applies to adult (permanent) teeth only. Do not try to reinsert a baby tooth. If a child knocks out a baby tooth, control the bleeding and see a dentist for assessment.
Emergency Dental Costs: NHS vs Private
If you need emergency dental care and cannot access the NHS, here is what you might pay privately.
| Service | NHS | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | £26.80 | £80 to £150 |
| Out-of-hours emergency | £26.80 | £150 to £300 |
| Emergency extraction | £26.80 (included) | £100 to £350 |
| Abscess drainage | £26.80 (included) | £100 to £200 |
| Temporary filling | £26.80 (included) | £60 to £120 |
Private emergency fees are estimates. Many private practices charge a higher consultation fee for emergency appointments, particularly outside normal hours or at weekends.
Managing Dental Pain While You Wait
If you are waiting for an emergency appointment, these steps can help manage the pain. These are temporary measures, not substitutes for professional treatment.
Take over-the-counter painkillers
Ibuprofen (200mg to 400mg, up to three times a day with food) is generally the most effective painkiller for dental pain because it reduces inflammation. Paracetamol (500mg to 1000mg, up to four times a day) can be taken alongside ibuprofen if needed. Do not exceed the stated doses on the packaging and follow any medical advice relevant to your circumstances.
Apply a cold compress
Hold a cold pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel against the outside of your cheek near the painful area. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This helps reduce swelling and can numb the area slightly.
Rinse with warm salt water
Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gently rinse around the affected area. This can help clean the area and reduce bacteria around an infection. Spit it out after rinsing. Repeat two to three times a day.
Avoid triggers
Stay away from very hot, very cold, or very sweet food and drinks. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth. If a filling has come out, you can use temporary dental repair kits (available from pharmacies) to cover the exposed area until you see a dentist.
NHS dental charges shown are for England and were updated in April 2024. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call your dentist, NHS 111, or go to A&E for severe cases. This page is for information only and does not constitute clinical advice.