Emergency appointments
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have:
Swelling in your mouth, throat or neck that's making it hard to breathe or to open one or both eyes; heavy bleeding from your mouth that won't stop; a serious injury to your face or jaw; or a head or face injury that has made you lose consciousness, be sick or see double.
If you’re in pain, have swelling, or have broken or knocked out a tooth, call us on 020 7946 0312. We keep same-day emergency appointments on every day we’re open, for patients and non-patients.
When we are closed. Call NHS 111 or use 111 online. They can direct you to urgent dental care.
- Time
- up to 30 minutes
- Cost
- £110 (plan members £65)
- Call from
- 8.30am, or 10am on Thursdays
- For
- anyone, patient or not
What’s happening?
Choose the closest match. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. If you’re not sure, call us.
Swelling in my face or mouth
Is the swelling making it hard to breathe or swallow, or spreading towards your eye or down your neck?
If yes: Call 999 or go to A&E now. If no: Call us today.
While you wait
- Take painkillers as directed on the packet.
- Hold a cold compress against the outside of your face.
- Don't put heat on the swelling.
- If it spreads, or it becomes hard to swallow or breathe, call 999.
What we’ll do. We'll find the cause, usually an infection, drain it if needed, and prescribe antibiotics only if the infection is spreading.
An adult tooth has been knocked out
Call us straight away.
While you wait
- Hold the tooth by the white part (the crown). Don't touch the root.
- If it's dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saliva. Don't scrub it.
- Try to push it gently back into the gap, then bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can't put it back, keep it in milk or in a little of your own saliva and come straight in.
What we’ll do. We'll check the tooth and socket, reposition the tooth if needed, and splint it to the teeth next to it while it settles.
A child's baby tooth has been knocked out
Call us today.
While you wait
- Don't put a baby tooth back in. It could damage the adult tooth growing underneath.
- Press a clean cloth on the gum to stop any bleeding.
- Keep the tooth to show us if you have it.
What we’ll do. We'll check your child's mouth and the teeth around the gap, and explain what to look out for.
Severe toothache that painkillers aren't helping
Call us today.
While you wait
- Take painkillers as directed on the packet.
- Don't put aspirin on the gum.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet food on that side.
What we’ll do. We'll find the cause, usually with an X-ray, and relieve the pain. That might be a dressing, starting root canal treatment, or taking the tooth out if that's the right option and you agree.
Toothache that painkillers are helping
Book in the next few days.
While you wait
- Take painkillers as directed on the packet.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet food on that side.
- If the pain gets worse or you notice swelling, call us the same day.
What we’ll do. We'll examine the tooth, take an X-ray if needed, and explain the options and costs.
A broken or chipped tooth
Is it painful, or is the broken edge sharp?
If yes: Call us today. If no: Book in the next few days.
While you wait
- Keep any pieces.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- If the edge is sharp, cover it with sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax from a pharmacy.
What we’ll do. We'll smooth or seal the tooth so it's comfortable, and talk about a filling, onlay or crown to repair it.
Bleeding after a tooth was taken out
Has it kept bleeding after 20 minutes of firm pressure on a folded gauze or clean cloth?
If yes: Call us straight away. If no: Book in the next few days.
While you wait
- Fold a clean gauze or handkerchief, place it over the socket and bite firmly for 20 minutes without checking.
- Sit upright.
- Don't rinse, spit hard or smoke.
- If the bleeding is heavy and won't stop, go to A&E.
What we’ll do. We'll find where the bleeding is coming from and stop it, usually with a dressing or a stitch.
A crown, filling or bridge has come out
Book in the next few days.
While you wait
- Keep the crown or bridge safe and bring it with you.
- Don't glue it back with household glue.
- A pharmacy sells temporary dental cement you can use until we see you.
- If the tooth is painful, call us today.
What we’ll do. If the crown is undamaged, we can often re-cement it (£95). If not, we'll protect the tooth and plan a repair.
My denture has broken
Book in the next few days.
While you wait
- Keep all the pieces and bring them.
- Don't try to glue it.
What we’ll do. Most repairs come back within two working days (from £95).
A mouth ulcer that hasn't healed in two weeks
Book in the next few days.
While you wait
- Most ulcers heal within two weeks. One that hasn't should be checked by a dentist or doctor.
- Avoid spicy or sharp food that makes it sore.
What we’ll do. We'll examine it, and if it needs further tests we'll refer you quickly.
An injury to my face or head
Did you lose consciousness, be sick or have double vision, or is the injury to your face or jaw serious?
If yes: Call 999 or go to A&E now. If no: Call us today.
While you wait
- Hold a cold compress against any swelling.
- Keep any broken pieces of tooth.
What we’ll do. We'll check your teeth, bite and jaw, take X-rays, and treat or refer as needed.
What it is
An emergency appointment is a same-day visit to find out what’s wrong and get you comfortable. The full repair sometimes needs another visit, and we’ll make a plan with you for that.
Who it's for
Anyone with toothache, swelling, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown, or bleeding after an extraction. You don’t need to be registered with us.
What happens
- Call as early in the day as you can. We hold emergency slots each morning and on Thursday evening, and we’ll offer you the earliest one available. If we’re full, we’ll tell you where else to try.
- The dentist asks about your symptoms and medical history, examines the area and usually takes an X-ray.
- We relieve the pain. Depending on the cause, that might mean a temporary filling, re-cementing a crown, smoothing a broken edge, draining an infection, starting root canal treatment, or taking the tooth out if that’s the right option and you agree.
- We explain what’s needed next and what it would cost. Nothing beyond the emergency treatment happens without your agreement.
Antibiotics don’t cure toothache, so we prescribe them only when an infection is spreading and needs them.
How long it takes
Up to thirty minutes. If you need longer treatment on the day, such as starting root canal treatment, we’ll tell you the time and the cost first.
What it costs
£110, or £65 for plan members. That covers the assessment, X-rays and relief of pain. Treatment beyond that is charged from our fee list: for example, £150 to open and dress a tooth that needs root canal treatment, or £70 for a temporary filling.
Aftercare
It depends on what we do. You’ll leave with written aftercare and a plan for what comes next. If the pain or swelling gets worse after you leave, call us, or NHS 111 if we’re closed.
Questions people ask
Do I need to be a patient to book?
No. Emergency appointments are open to anyone.
What can I do while I wait?
Take painkillers as directed on the packet, and don’t put aspirin on the gum. For swelling, hold a cold compress against the outside of your face. Avoid very hot or cold food and drink on that side.
In pain? Call us.
Call 020 7946 0312 from 8.30am (10am on Thursdays). We keep same-day emergency appointments on every day we’re open.