Most dental problems are not emergencies, but some are. This guide lists the ones that need prompt attention, and what to do.
Key points
- Most dental problems are not emergencies, but some need urgent care, including a dental abscess, swelling that spreads or affects breathing and a knocked-out adult tooth.
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or swelling around the eye or neck, needs a hospital emergency department. Call 112.
- The NHS advises booking a dentist if toothache lasts more than two days or does not ease with painkillers.2
- While you wait, take painkillers as directed, eat soft food, avoid chewing on the sore tooth and keep a broken piece in milk or saliva.2
- Regular check-ups, treating cavities and gum problems early and wearing a mouthguard for contact sports help to prevent serious problems.
Many toothaches and chips can wait a day or two for an appointment. Others cannot. Knowing which is which helps you act quickly when it matters, and avoid worrying when it does not.
Problems that need urgent care
A dental abscess
A dental abscess, a build-up of pus caused by infection, needs urgent dental treatment and will not clear up on its own.1 Signs include intense pain, redness, sensitivity to hot or cold, a bad taste, trouble opening the mouth, facial swelling and a high temperature.1 See our guide to a tooth abscess.
Swelling that spreads or affects breathing
Swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or swelling around the eye or neck, needs a hospital emergency department.12 Call 112, India's emergency number, or go to a hospital emergency department. You should not drive yourself.2
A knocked-out adult tooth
The NHS says a knocked-out adult tooth needs treatment as soon as possible, and that you should ask for an emergency dentist appointment even if you cannot find the tooth.3 Try to put it back into the socket, and if it goes in easily, bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it.3 If it will not go in, keep it in milk or saliva.3 Never put a baby tooth back in, because it can damage the adult tooth growing underneath.3
Bleeding that will not stop after an extraction
Press firmly on any bleeding for at least 10 minutes.5 If it will not stop, or if you have severe or worsening pain and swelling that painkillers do not ease, seek an urgent dentist appointment.5
Pain with a bad taste, fever or feeling unwell
The NHS also says to seek an urgent dentist appointment if wisdom tooth pain comes with a bad taste, a high temperature or feeling unwell.5 These can be signs of infection.
Problems that need a prompt appointment
Toothache that lasts
The NHS advises booking a dentist if toothache lasts more than two days or does not ease with painkillers, or sooner if you have a fever, a swollen cheek or jaw, red gums or a bad taste.2 Painkillers ease pain but do not treat the cause.2
A badly broken tooth
A chipped, cracked or broken tooth is described by the NHS as non-urgent, though you should still see a dentist, and any piece that has broken off should be kept in milk or saliva.2 If the nerve is showing, or the pain is severe, get seen sooner. See our article on cracked teeth.
Gum disease with loose teeth
Gums that are very sore and swollen, loose or falling-out teeth, ulcers or red patches, or a lump in the mouth or on the lip need urgent attention.4 Without treatment, complications of gum disease can include bad breath, a bad taste, shrinking gums, loose or lost teeth and a dental abscess.4 See loose teeth and our guide to periodontitis.
Mouth ulcers, lumps or red or white patches
An ulcer that does not heal within about three weeks, a lump, or a red or white patch in the mouth should be checked promptly. These are usually harmless, but occasionally they signal something serious, and early checks matter.
Pain that is not from a tooth
Not every toothache is dental. A systematic review sorted toothache with no clinically evident cause in the teeth into eight groups, including pain referred from the jaw muscles, sinus pain and nerve pain, and concluded that unnecessary dental treatment should be avoided.6 Chest pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw, with breathlessness or sweating, can be a heart attack and is an emergency. Call 112.
What to do while you wait
- Take painkillers as directed, but do not give aspirin to children under 16.12
- Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the sore tooth.2
- Use a soft toothbrush, and avoid flossing around a sore tooth.2
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet food and drink, and do not smoke.2
- Keep a broken piece of tooth in milk or saliva.2
What to take to an emergency visit
- A list of your medicines and allergies.
- Any knocked-out tooth or broken piece, in milk or saliva.3
- Your insurance or identification, if relevant.
- A trusted person, if you can, to help you.
Preventing serious problems
- See your dentist regularly.
- Treat cavities and gum problems early.
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports.
- Do not ignore a toothache.
- Know where your nearest emergency dentist is.
Our page on a dental emergency lists what to do in each case, and our page on tooth pain explains the common causes of toothache.
A quick guide to how urgent it is
| What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|
| Swelling that affects breathing, swallowing or speaking, or spreads to the eye or neck | Go to a hospital emergency department or call 1121 |
| A knocked-out adult tooth | See a dentist or hospital urgently, with the tooth in milk or saliva3 |
| Severe toothache with swelling, fever or a bad taste | Seek an urgent dental appointment the same day1 |
| Bleeding that will not stop after an extraction | Press firmly with clean gauze and call the dentist or go to hospital5 |
| Toothache lasting more than two days | Book a dentist promptly2 |
| A chipped or cracked tooth with no severe pain | Book an appointment within a day or two1 |
| Mouth ulcer, lump or patch that has not healed after about three weeks | See a dentist or doctor soon |
If you are unsure, call the dentist and describe what is happening. The team can tell you how quickly you should be seen.
A simple dental first-aid kit
A small kit at home makes a bad moment easier to handle.
- Clean gauze pads, for pressing on bleeding.
- Painkillers suitable for your household, with the dose instructions.
- Dental wax or a temporary filling material, for a rough or broken edge.
- A small clean container with a lid, for a broken piece or tooth.
- Cold packs, for swelling on the outside of the face.
- A saline or salt solution for rinsing.
- The phone numbers of your dentist, a nearby hospital and 112.
Keep it where you can find it, and check it twice a year.
Children and older adults
Children fall and knock their teeth often. Take a child with a knocked or broken tooth to a dentist promptly, and ask what to do with the tooth, because the advice for a baby tooth differs from that for an adult tooth.3 Children also complain less clearly about pain, so look for a swollen cheek, refusing to eat or fever.
Older adults may feel pain less and may be on medicines that thin the blood or dry the mouth. Check their mouths for swelling, loose teeth and sore patches, and tell the dentist about all medicines. Do not give aspirin to children under 16.12
Myths and facts
Myth: a toothache will go away if you wait. It may ease, but the cause usually remains, and waiting makes problems worse.2
Myth: antibiotics from a pharmacy are enough. They do not treat the cause, and whether you need them is a dentist's decision.
Fact: a swollen face is never something to wait on. Seek help promptly.1
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it is an emergency?
Swelling that affects breathing, swallowing or the eye, a knocked-out adult tooth, bleeding that will not stop and severe pain with a fever are urgent.135
Should I go to a hospital or a dentist?
A dentist for most dental problems. A hospital emergency department for spreading swelling or trouble breathing.1
Can a family doctor help?
They can advise on pain relief or an infection, but they cannot treat the tooth, so you still need a dentist.1
What if it happens out of hours?
Call the clinic, and if you cannot reach a dentist and the problem is serious, go to a hospital emergency department.
When is a toothache an emergency?
When it comes with swelling that spreads, a high temperature, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or after a serious injury. Otherwise, book a dentist promptly if it lasts more than two days.12
Can I go to a general hospital for a dental problem?
For swelling that affects breathing, swallowing or vision, yes, go to the emergency department. For most other dental problems a dentist is the right place, so call the dentist first.
About the author
Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics. BDS (2002), KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. MDS in Orthodontics (2006), SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. His thesis work won a national research award in 2005, and he holds a certification in aesthetic dentistry. He sees patients at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, South Delhi. Read the full profile of Dr Anupam Sinha.
Sources
- NHS website. Dental abscess (patient information). Page review date 18 March 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dental-abscess/
- NHS website. Toothache (patient information). Page review date 1 July 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/toothache/
- NHS website. Knocked-out tooth (patient information). Page review date 6 February 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knocked-out-tooth/
- NHS website. Gum disease (patient information). Page review date 20 April 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gum-disease/
- NHS website. Wisdom tooth removal (patient information). Page review date 12 June 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/wisdom-tooth-removal/
- Yatani H, Komiyama O, Matsuka Y, Wajima K, Muraoka W, Ikawa M, et al. Systematic review and recommendations for nonodontogenic toothache. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2014;41(11):843-852. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25040436/
Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS – Orthodontics, on . General information for patients from Orion Dental Clinic, last updated 23 October 2026. It is not advice for one person, so ask a dentist what suits you. To report an error, contact us.