Dental Symptom Checker
Not sure how urgent your dental problem is? Select your symptom to understand what it might mean, what to do right now, and whether you need emergency care or can wait for a routine appointment.
⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This tool provides general information only and does not constitute medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for professional assessment by a qualified dentist or doctor. If you are experiencing severe pain, facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, call NHS 111 immediately or go to A&E. For life-threatening emergencies, call 999.
Select your symptom
Tap the symptom that best describes what you're experiencing. You can change your selection at any time.
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Select a symptom above to see guidance
🚨 Signs of a dental emergency — always act immediately
Call NHS 111 now if you have:
- • Severe pain not controlled by painkillers
- • Facial, jaw, or gum swelling that is spreading
- • High fever (38°C+) alongside tooth pain
- • A knocked-out adult tooth (act within 30 minutes)
- • Bleeding that won't stop after 20 minutes
- • A broken jaw or facial injury
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have:
- ⚠️ Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- ⚠️ Swelling that is closing your airway
- ⚠️ Signs of sepsis (confusion, blue lips, very high or low temperature)
- ⚠️ Severe trauma to the face or mouth
How NHS 111 handles dental emergencies
Call 111
Available 24/7. Tell them it's a dental problem. A clinician will assess your symptoms and urgency over the phone.
Get a referral
For urgent dental problems, 111 can book you directly into an NHS urgent dental centre (UDC) or emergency appointment in your area.
Attend & pay
You'll pay standard NHS charges (Band 1: £26.80 for assessment, Band 2: £73.50 if treatment is carried out) unless you're exempt.
Good to know: You don't need to be registered with an NHS dentist to access NHS 111 dental referrals. The service is available to everyone. If your area doesn't have an urgent dental centre, 111 will advise you on the nearest available option — which may include dental schools, community dental services, or A&E for severe cases.
Managing dental pain while you wait for treatment
Pain relief
Ibuprofen + paracetamol
Can be taken together at recommended doses. Alternate them every 3 hours for continuous relief. Ibuprofen is generally better for dental pain due to its anti-inflammatory action.
Clove oil (eugenol)
A natural anaesthetic. Soak a small piece of cotton wool and hold against the tooth — provides temporary relief. Available at pharmacies.
Dental anaesthetic gel
Products like Orajel contain benzocaine and numb the area temporarily. Useful for gum pain or exposed roots.
Important cautions
- ✗ Never place aspirin directly on tooth or gum tissue — it causes chemical burns
- ✗ Don't use heat on swollen areas — warmth encourages infection to spread
- ✗ Don't take more than the stated dose of any painkiller
- ✗ Avoid ibuprofen if you have stomach ulcers, kidney problems, or are pregnant
- ✗ Dental pain will not resolve without treating the underlying cause — see a dentist
Common questions about dental emergencies
How do I know if my toothache is an emergency?
Treat dental pain as an emergency if it's severe and not controlled by over-the-counter painkillers, if there's facial or gum swelling (especially spreading to your jaw or neck), if you have a high fever, or if you have difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth. Call NHS 111 immediately in any of these situations.
What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?
Act immediately. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part you see), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse very briefly with cold milk or saline — never tap water, and never scrub. Keep it moist by placing it in milk, saline, or inside your cheek. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes — time is critical for successful reimplantation. Do not replant baby teeth.
Can ibuprofen and paracetamol be taken together?
Yes — they work by different mechanisms and are safe to take together at their recommended doses. Many dentists recommend alternating them every few hours for better continuous pain control. Do not exceed stated doses. Avoid ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, or are pregnant.
What is a dental abscess and is it dangerous?
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by bacterial infection, either at the root tip or in the gum. It requires urgent treatment. Warning signs include severe throbbing pain, facial swelling, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell. If a dental abscess isn't treated, the infection can spread to your jaw, neck, or bloodstream. Antibiotics alone do not treat the underlying cause — the infection source must be dealt with by a dentist.
My dentist is closed — what are my options?
Call NHS 111 (24/7) — they can arrange urgent dental appointments. Check your dentist's answerphone for an out-of-hours number — NHS practices are required to provide this. If your area has an NHS urgent dental centre, you may be able to self-refer. For severe symptoms (swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, high fever), go to A&E or call 999.
Will an A&E doctor treat my toothache?
A&E departments do not provide routine dental treatment, but they can help with: severe infections that have spread to the face or neck, uncontrolled bleeding, facial trauma, and symptoms of sepsis. They can prescribe antibiotics and pain relief and refer to specialist maxillofacial teams when necessary. For straightforward tooth pain, NHS 111 is a more appropriate first call.
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This symptom checker is an information tool only. The content is written to provide general guidance for a UK audience and is based on NHS clinical guidelines and publicly available dental health information. It does not constitute a clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Always consult a qualified dentist or doctor for personal advice about your dental or medical condition. DentistSearch accepts no liability for actions taken based on the information provided by this tool. If you are in doubt about the severity of a symptom, always seek professional advice.