Urgent Dental

Non-urgent advice: What should i do if i need an urgent dental appointment

You should make an urgent dental appointment if you have:  

  • Toothache that is so bad it causes pain that does not stop or ease with over-the-counter pain relief.
  • Swelling in the mouth or face, like abscesses or infections, that causes pain or fever.
  • Broken or knocked-out teeth.
  • Bleeding in the mouth after a dental procedure or injury that does not stop by itself. If bleeding cannot be controlled, you might need emergency care.
  • Loose or broken fillings that cause pain.
  • Heavy bleeding from gums.
  • Problems with the soft areas of the mouth, like cheeks or tongue.

Urgent appointments are also available if you are worried about:

  • Pain that does not go away but eases with over-the-counter pain relief.  
  • Minor trauma like a chipped tooth.
  • Loose, broken or displaced crowns, bridges, veneers, posts, and fillings that do not cause pain.Loose or broken dentures.
  • Bleeding gums.

There are 4 ways to get urgent NHS dental care

Page last reviewed: 18 February 2026
Page created: 18 February 2026