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Dental emergencies can be frightening, and knowing what to do — and when to seek professional help — can make all the difference. In this guide, we cover four of the most common dental emergencies seen at City Dental Clinic: trauma to a tooth, severe toothache, dental abscess, and wisdom tooth pain. For each one, we explain what’s happening, how to manage the discomfort, and how to get the right care quickly.
Whether you’re dealing with a knocked-out tooth or an agonising ache that won’t go away, City Dental Clinic is here to help. We offer emergency appointments at our practice near Moorgate, Barbican, and Old Street — and you can book online in minutes.
A knocked-out, cracked, or displaced tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies there is. Whether it’s the result of a fall, a sports injury, or an accident, trauma to a tooth requires prompt professional attention — ideally within 30 minutes for a knocked-out tooth, as this dramatically improves the chances of saving it.
If a tooth has been completely knocked out, handle it by the crown (the white part) rather than the root, and gently rinse it with milk or clean water without scrubbing. If possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it back in the socket, holding it between the cheek and gum, or storing it in a small container of milk while you make your way to us. For cracked or chipped teeth, the urgency depends on the severity — a minor chip can usually wait a day or two, but pain or sensitivity to temperature suggests the nerve may be affected and warrants same-day care.
For pain relief, ibuprofen (if you can take it) or paracetamol can help manage discomfort on the way to the practice. Avoid aspirin if there is any bleeding, as it can thin the blood and worsen it. A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek can also help reduce swelling.
Don’t wait and hope it settles — dental trauma almost always needs professional assessment, even if the tooth looks fine. The sooner you’re seen, the better the outcome.
A severe, persistent toothache is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong inside or around the tooth — often an infection, a cracked tooth, advanced decay, or an exposed nerve. While a mild, fleeting ache might not be an emergency, pain that is intense, constant, or waking you at night should be treated as urgent.
You should see a dentist as soon as possible if the pain has lasted more than a day or two, is getting worse rather than better, is accompanied by swelling or fever, or is making it difficult to eat, sleep, or concentrate. These are signs that the problem is progressing and won’t resolve on its own.
In the meantime, over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (following the packet instructions) is the most effective way to manage the pain. Rinsing with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water) can help reduce inflammation and keep the area clean. Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks, as these can aggravate an already sensitive tooth.
At City Dental Clinic, we understand that severe toothache can’t always wait for a routine appointment. Get in touch and we’ll do our very best to see you the same day.
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection — usually caused by bacteria — that develops either at the root of a tooth or in the gum alongside it. It is a serious condition that will not go away without treatment, and in some cases can spread to the jaw, neck, or even further if left unaddressed. An abscess requires professional dental care promptly.
The signs of a dental abscess include a persistent, throbbing toothache, swelling of the face or cheek, tenderness when biting or touching the area, a raised, pimple-like bump on the gum, a foul taste in the mouth, and sometimes fever or a general feeling of being unwell. If you have any facial swelling alongside these symptoms, particularly if it’s causing difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to A&E immediately, as this can indicate the infection is spreading.
There is no reliable home cure for a dental abscess — antibiotics can help control the infection temporarily, but the source of the infection must be treated by a dentist. If you notice a pimple-like swelling on your gum that bursts and releases a salty or foul-tasting fluid, this may relieve pressure briefly, but it doesn’t mean the problem has resolved. Warm salt water rinses can help keep the area clean in the interim. Ibuprofen is generally more effective than paracetamol alone for the inflammation-driven pain of an abscess, and the two can be alternated safely by most adults.
Please don’t put off seeking help with a suspected abscess. Treatment is straightforward when caught early, and our team at City Dental Clinic can see you quickly to get things under control.
Wisdom teeth — the last molars to emerge, usually in the late teens or twenties — are among the most common causes of dental pain in younger adults. Because the jaw is often too small to accommodate them, they can become impacted (stuck beneath the gum), push against neighbouring teeth, or only partially erupt, leaving a flap of gum that traps food and bacteria and leads to a painful infection called pericoronitis.
You should see a dentist if the pain is severe or spreading to your ear or jaw, if you have difficulty opening your mouth, if there is visible swelling around the back of your mouth or jaw, or if you’re running a temperature. Mild discomfort as a wisdom tooth first begins to emerge can sometimes be managed at home for a short time, but anything beyond this warrants a professional assessment.
Rinsing with warm salt water is one of the most effective home remedies for wisdom tooth pain, particularly when pericoronitis is involved, as it helps flush out bacteria from beneath the gum flap. Ibuprofen is generally the most helpful over-the-counter option as it tackles both the pain and the underlying inflammation. Cold packs on the outside of the jaw can help with swelling, particularly in the first 24 hours.
Wisdom tooth problems rarely solve themselves, and the right treatment — whether that’s a thorough clean, a short course of antibiotics, or a referral for extraction — depends on what’s actually happening beneath the surface. Our team can assess your wisdom teeth, take any necessary X-rays, and advise you on the best course of action.
If you’re in pain and aren’t sure whether what you’re experiencing counts as an emergency, the safest approach is always to call us. Our team at City Dental Clinic near Moorgate is here to help, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate urgent cases as quickly as possible. You can reach us on 020 7638 0870, or book directly online using the button below.
