Dental emergency: what to do right now
Cadbury Dental team3 min readPublished Last updated
Call the practice on 0121 348 8800 as early in the day as possible. For a knocked-out adult tooth, put it back in the socket immediately or store it in milk and get seen within the hour. For facial swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to A&E.
By situation
| Problem | Do this now |
|---|---|
| Severe toothache | Painkillers as per the packet, avoid extremes of temperature, call us. |
| Knocked-out adult tooth | Hold it by the crown, rinse in milk, reinsert or store in milk, seek care within the hour. |
| Broken tooth | Keep the fragment, rinse with warm salty water, avoid chewing on it. |
| Lost filling or crown | Keep the crown, avoid the area, call for a repair appointment. |
| Facial swelling | Call urgently. If breathing or swallowing is affected, go to A&E immediately. |
| Bleeding after an extraction | Bite firmly on clean gauze for 20 minutes; if it continues, call us. |
Out of hours
If we're closed and you can't wait, call NHS 111 for urgent dental advice. For anything involving airway, breathing or uncontrolled bleeding, that's A&E, not a dental practice.
Visiting us: your questions on this topic
Do you keep emergency appointments?
We hold time for urgent problems each day. Call early — those slots fill quickly.
Can you see me if I'm not a registered patient?
Call and ask. We'll do what we can, and tell you honestly if we can't fit you in.
Should I take antibiotics?
Antibiotics don't treat most dental pain. The source needs treating — that's what stops it coming back.
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