Dental emergency? Here’s what to do and who to call
Dentist Disaster

Friendly, evidence-based, UK

Something gone wrong with your teeth?

Don’t panic. Find out what’s likely going on, how urgent it is, and every realistic way a dentist could fix it – in plain English, based on NHS and other trusted UK sources.

What’s bothering you?

Open the problem finder Browse all problems

Is it a dental emergency?

The NHS advice in short (England):

  • Call 999 or go to A&E for swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, swelling around the eye or neck, heavy bleeding from the mouth that won’t stop, a serious injury to the face or jaw, or a head injury with loss of consciousness, vomiting or double vision.
  • Get an urgent dental appointment or call NHS 111 for a knocked-out adult tooth (ideally seen within an hour), a suspected abscess, severe pain that painkillers don’t help, or bleeding after an extraction.
  • Don’t go to your GP for dental treatment – GPs can’t provide it.
What to do now Call NHS 111

See all 24 problems

Toothache has many causes, from decay to a cracked tooth. How to ease the pain now, when to see a dentist and when it's an emergency.

See a dentist soonOptions

Twisted, tilted or uneven teeth are very common. Here is why they happen, when they matter, and the realistic ways to straighten them.

RoutineOptions

A small piece has broken off a tooth. Usually not serious, but worth getting checked. What to do now and how dentists repair chips.

RoutineOptions

Bleeding, swollen gums are the classic early sign. Gum disease is common and preventable - here is how it progresses and how it is treated.

RoutineOptions

Sharp twinges with cold, hot, sweet or acidic food are common. Why teeth become sensitive, what helps at home and when to see a dentist.

RoutineOptions

Teeth darken with age, tea, coffee, red wine and smoking. What professional cleaning, whitening and other options can - and can't - do.

RoutineOptions

Gaps from lost teeth can affect eating, speech and confidence. Compare dentures, bridges and implants, and why the gap itself matters.

RoutineOptions

An adult tooth knocked out can often be saved if you act within the hour. Step-by-step first aid, plus what happens at the dentist.

UrgentOptions

How Dentist Disaster helps

  1. Work out what’s wrong

    Use the problem finder or browse by problem to read the usual signs and causes. It’s a starting point, not a diagnosis.

  2. Know how urgent it is

    Each problem is marked routine, soon or urgent, with NHS advice on when to call 111, your dentist or 999.

  3. See every option

    Treatments are explained honestly: how they work, pros and cons, how long they last and what’s available on the NHS.

  4. Talk to your dentist

    Go to your appointment informed. Only a GDC-registered dentist who has examined you can say what’s right for you.

Ways to fix things

All 23 treatments explained

Orthodontics

Braces, aligners and retainers that move teeth and hold them in place.

5 treatments

Restorative

Repairing and replacing teeth: fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, dentures and root canals.

7 treatments

Cosmetic

Changing how teeth look: bonding, veneers and professional whitening.

3 treatments

Preventive

Stopping problems before they start: cleaning, fluoride, sealants and guards.

5 treatments

Surgical

Taking teeth out, including wisdom teeth.

2 treatments

Home care

What you do every day, at home, to look after your teeth and gums.

1 treatment

Weighing up your options?

Side-by-side comparisons of the choices people ask about most.

Braces vs clear aligners

Fixed braces and clear aligners compared on visibility, what they can fix, comfort, cleaning, NHS availability and the…

Composite bonding vs veneers

Composite bonding and veneers compared: drilling, durability, repairs, number of visits and when each makes sense.

Crowns vs veneers

Full-coverage crowns and front-surface veneers compared: what each fixes, how much tooth is removed, strength, NHS…

Electric vs manual toothbrush

What the evidence says about electric and manual toothbrushes - plaque, gum health, technique, features and cost - and…

Metal vs ceramic braces

Traditional metal braces and tooth-coloured ceramic braces compared: appearance, durability, staining, what they can…

What will it cost?

NHS dental charges in England from 1 April 2026: Band 1 £27.90, Band 2 £76.60, Band 3 £332.10. Plus how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ, and published private prices.

Can’t find an NHS dentist?

How to look for a practice taking NHS patients, what to do if you can’t find one, and how NHS and private care compare.

Nervous about the dentist?

You’re far from alone. Practical ways to make appointments easier, and the support dental teams can offer.

Everyday kit for healthier teeth

Buying advice based on NHS and Oral Health Foundation guidance. All products

Oral-B iO2 electric toothbrush

Oral-B's entry-level iO brush, pitched at people switching from a manual toothbrush. It keeps things simple – one button, three…

Features & who it suits

Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste

A toothpaste for sensitive teeth built around NovaMin. As with any sensitivity toothpaste, you need to keep using it for the…

Features & who it suits

Some product links may be affiliate links. How we make money.

Helpful guides

All guides

Choosing an electric toothbrush

What the evidence says about electric toothbrushes, the difference between oscillating-rotating and sonic brushes, and…