Emergency dental advice • UK • Clear, calm next steps
Can I Go to A&E with a Toothache? | Dental Emergencies
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.
“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: A&E is not for dental emergencies.
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.
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.
What our patients say
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them …
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I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them and they ran through the treatment, cost and everything I needed to know. After a few weeks of using the gels my teeth were considerably whiter and I was receiving compliments from my family and friends on my smile. After a while they suggested I consider veneers for two pegs on the top of my teeth, they also do a monthly instalment and after a few weeks considering it I decided to do it and was very happy with the results. It looks very natural and matches my teeth perfectly and made me a lot more confident with my smile and was getting compliments from a lot of people shortly after getting it done. Would definitely recommend coming here everyone is very welcoming, friendly and professional and I've never had any complaints with any of the treatments
So grateful I was recommended to The Dentist.
I have my smile back
They listened to me and guided me on all options and was not pushy, if anything they scaled my thinking back to towards achieving realistic results.
I found we built trust in a very small window which is mainly down to their adherence on delivering patient care.
…Read full review
So grateful I was recommended to The Dentist.
I have my smile back
They listened to me and guided me on all options and was not pushy, if anything they scaled my thinking back to towards achieving realistic results.
I found we built trust in a very small window which is mainly down to their adherence on delivering patient care.
Treatments I have had is teeth whitening and two front crowns- since having the treatment my confidence has blossomed and my smile is back on point.
I struggle with anxiety and become extremely panicked when in confined zones. The reassurance and care offered/delivered was extremely helpful and I felt safe in the care of The Dentist
Thank you
I came to this dentist on the recommendation of a work colleague and some extra research.
I'm a really anxious person who is also neurodiverse, and after 10 years of not seeing a dentist, I had severe buildup on my teeth, inflamed, red gums and cavities. I was embarrassed to smile. I was embarrassed to have conversations with o…Read full review
I came to this dentist on the recommendation of a work colleague and some extra research.
I'm a really anxious person who is also neurodiverse, and after 10 years of not seeing a dentist, I had severe buildup on my teeth, inflamed, red gums and cavities. I was embarrassed to smile. I was embarrassed to have conversations with other people because I didn't want them to notice my teeth.
The whole team have been nothing but kind, welcoming, and understanding. They all really, really listened to me and my experience. They explained each step that needed to be taken, in detail, answered all of my questions really well, and ensured I wasn't in pain or anxious.
I was also able to use my own coping mechanisms (fidget rings, worry stones, hand fidgeting), and I wasn't judged. That's how it should be, and thank you for setting an example.
It's quiet and genuinely a really nice, calm atmosphere. And because it's a calm, quiet practice, it doesn't feel like you're on a timer.I didn't feel pressured by anyone for anything regarding treatment, and have been kindly but firmly re-educated on important aspects or oral health.
They will also send you plenty of reminders and confirmations, which has been super helpful for me to manage my time and prioritise myself and my teeth.
A huge thank you to Dr. Rikki, Dr. Anna, and the rest of the team who made me feel like it was possible to get my smile back. My confidence has increased tenfold, and I would do it all again (but hopefully not).
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Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you. For urgent pain or swelling, please call 01922 624900.