Emergency dental advice • UK • Clear, calm next steps
When to go to A&E for your teeth (and when to call a dentist instead)
Most toothache is best treated by a dentist — but some symptoms can be serious. Use this page to decide what to do right now.
If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, don’t wait for a dental appointment — use the emergency options below.
Fast decision guide
- Breathing / swallowing affected? Call 999 or go to A&E.
- Severe swelling, fever, very unwell? Urgent help today (A&E / 111).
- Pain, broken tooth, abscess but stable? Book an urgent dentist.
Go to A&E (or call 999) for dental symptoms if you have any of these
These are “red flags” where a dental infection or injury may be affecting the airway, spreading, or causing serious illness.
- Difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, or feeling like your throat is tightening
- Difficulty swallowing (including drooling or unable to swallow fluids)
- Rapidly increasing facial swelling, especially spreading towards the eye or neck
- Swelling inside the mouth that’s restricting opening, tongue space, or swallowing
- You feel seriously unwell with dental pain/swelling (collapse, extreme weakness, severe dizziness)
- Possible sepsis signs (confusion/slurred speech, severe shivering, passing little/no urine, very fast breathing)
- Uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction or injury that won’t stop with firm pressure
- Significant facial trauma (suspected jaw fracture, deep cuts, teeth knocked out plus heavy bleeding)
If you’re unsure and symptoms are worsening, it’s safer to seek urgent medical advice.
What A&E is for
- Airway risk (breathing/swallowing problems)
- Severe spreading infection or severe illness
- Major trauma, heavy bleeding
- IV fluids, scans, antibiotics, pain relief when medically needed
A&E usually can’t provide definitive dental treatment (like removing the tooth or draining a dental abscess at the tooth level).
What an urgent dentist is for
- Toothache (nerve pain, deep decay)
- Dental abscess assessment and drainage when appropriate
- Broken tooth, lost filling/crown, painful bite
- Dental trauma (knocked/chipped teeth)
- Targeted treatment to stop the cause (not just cover symptoms)
If you’re stable but in pain, the fastest route to proper relief is usually an urgent dental appointment.
Common questions people search (quick answers)
“Can I go to A&E with toothache?”
You can, but A&E is mainly for serious symptoms (breathing/swallowing issues, rapidly spreading swelling, severe illness, uncontrolled bleeding, major trauma). For typical toothache, an urgent dentist is usually the right place.
“My face is swollen from a tooth — is it an emergency?”
Swelling needs urgent attention. If it’s spreading fast, affecting swallowing/breathing, or you feel very unwell, go to A&E / call 999. Otherwise, book an urgent dentist the same day.
“I have tooth infection symptoms — fever and pain”
Fever plus dental pain can indicate infection. If you’re systemically unwell (confusion, shivering, very fast breathing, collapse), get urgent medical help. If you’re stable, book urgent dental care to treat the source.
“Bleeding after an extraction won’t stop”
Apply firm pressure with clean gauze (or a clean rolled cloth) continuously. If bleeding remains heavy or won’t settle, seek urgent help today.
Pick what best matches your situation
These pages go deeper and help you choose the next step.
Related reading: Can I go to A&E with toothache? and A&E not for dental emergencies.
Frequently asked questions
Will A&E remove a tooth?
Usually no. A&E is mainly for medical emergencies. Definitive dental treatment is usually done by a dentist.
Do I need antibiotics for tooth infection?
Not always. Many dental infections need the cause treated (for example, opening/drainage or tooth treatment). Antibiotics may be used in certain situations, especially if you’re unwell or infection is spreading.
What if I can’t get a dentist today?
If symptoms are severe or worsening, call 111 for urgent advice and access routes. If breathing/swallowing is affected, call 999 or go to A&E.
What about children?
If a child has facial swelling, fever, looks very unwell, or has breathing/swallowing difficulty, treat it as urgent.
Need help deciding?
If you tell us your symptoms (pain, swelling, fever, trauma), we’ll guide you to the safest next step.
Emergency symptoms (breathing/swallowing problems, rapidly spreading swelling, collapse): call 999 or go to A&E.
