UK Emergency Dental Services

24-hour emergency dental services in the UK

It can often be hard to know whether your oral aches or pains are normal or whether they’re something you should be worried about.

It is much better to be safe than sorry, and by acting quickly when you suffer from symptoms can help save your tooth, as well as money in the long-term.

What is classed as a dental emergency?

A number of symptoms are considered as emergencies, and there are several 24-hour dentists available to help you whenever you need, wherever you are.

The following are currently classed as dental emergencies:

  • Loose teeth in adults 
  • Check-up following an accident or face injury to check for nerve, jaw, alignment damage
  • Severe toothache
  • Bleeding gums
  • Painful or aching gums
  • Swollen mouth, jaw or face
  • Tooth abscesses 
  • Ulcers or sores that are not getting better or have become infected
  • Headaches that are constant
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Broken tooth 
  • Continual bleeding following an extraction

If you do not see your symptoms on the list above, there are a number of other problems that are classed as a dental emergency. Read more here.

Some conditions are too severe for dentists and will require you to go to A&E immediately.

If you have suffered a facial injury that has caused severe swelling, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, difficulty breathing or vomiting, seek urgent medical help.

Seek dental care immediately

If you are suffering from any of the above then it is important to seek urgent dental care.

If left untreated, swelling or an oral infection can lead to an infection of the surrounding bone, tooth loss, and even septicemia.

Do not leave tooth abscesses untreated, or assume they will clear on their own. Contact your local 24-hour dentist for the care you need.

It is possible to prevent dental emergencies

You don’t have to have preexisting oral health problems to suffer from a dental emergency. Those with a rigorous and healthy oral routine are just as at risk as those with poor oral hygiene.

Of course, there are ways to prevent dental emergencies or serious dental problems by maintaining good oral hygiene.

Here are a few ways you can help prevent the need for emergency dental care:

  1. Maintain good oral hygiene. Read more here.
  2. Closely monitor any persistent pain or changes in your mouth
  3. Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head regularly
  4. Prioritise flossing too
  5. Reduce your intake of sugary food and drinks
  6. If you play sport, wear a protective mouthguard 
  7. Ensure that children frequently visit the dentist
  8. Drink plenty of water

UK-based emergency dental services

Dental problems or oral injuries can happen at any time, so it is important to have an emergency dentist to contact if and when an emergency arises.

If you are concerned that you have a dental emergency: