What to do in a dental emergency: a step-by-step Glasgow guide

Is it actually a dental emergency?

The clearest signs that you need urgent care are severe or worsening toothache, facial swelling or a dental abscess, a knocked-out adult tooth, a badly broken tooth, bleeding that will not stop, and a lost crown or filling that is causing pain. A knocked-out adult tooth is the most time-critical of all, so do not wait until morning.

Some symptoms point to something more serious than a tooth. If you have swelling that is spreading towards your eye or down into your neck, swelling alongside a high temperature, or any difficulty breathing or swallowing, treat it as a medical emergency and go to A&E or call 999. When in doubt, a quick phone call to a dentist will tell you how urgently you need to be seen.

A knocked-out tooth (act within the hour)

For an adult tooth, time is everything. Pick the tooth up by the white crown and never touch the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently in milk or clean water for a second or two, but do not scrub it or wipe it dry.

If you can, place it straight back into the socket the right way round and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it there. If you cannot reinsert it, keep it in a small container of milk, or tucked inside your cheek, until you reach us. Plain water is a last resort because it damages the delicate cells on the root. Aim to be seen within sixty minutes.

A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, as that can harm the adult tooth forming underneath. Keep your child calm and call us for advice.

Severe toothache

A painkiller that you normally tolerate, taken as directed on the packet, is the safest first step. A cold compress held against the cheek can ease both pain and swelling. Try to avoid very hot, cold or sweet foods, which often make things worse.

Do not place an aspirin tablet directly against the gum, as it burns the soft tissue rather than helping. Pain that throbs, keeps you awake, or comes with swelling usually points to infection, and that needs a dentist promptly rather than another night of painkillers.

Swelling or a dental abscess

An abscess is a pocket of infection, often felt as a painful swelling in the gum or face, sometimes with a bad taste. It will not clear on its own and should never be ignored. Rinse gently with warm salt water and do not try to burst it.

An abscess needs a dentist, who will treat the source of the infection and may prescribe antibiotics if appropriate. As above, if swelling is spreading towards the eye or neck, or you feel unwell with a high temperature or any trouble breathing or swallowing, go straight to A&E.

A broken, chipped or cracked tooth

Save any pieces you can find and rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is a sharp edge catching your tongue or cheek, a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or some dental wax from a pharmacy can cover it temporarily. Avoid chewing on that side and book to be seen, as a cracked tooth can worsen quickly if it is left.

A lost filling or crown

Keep the crown safe, as it can often be re-cemented. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth in the meantime, and a little clove oil on a cotton bud may calm sensitivity. Never use household superglue, which is toxic and makes a proper repair much harder. Avoid chewing on that side until we have seen you.

Bleeding that will not stop

After an extraction or a knock, fold a piece of clean gauze or a cotton handkerchief into a pad, place it over the area, and bite firmly for fifteen to twenty minutes without checking it. Avoid rinsing, spitting or hot drinks, which dislodge the clot that needs to form. If heavy bleeding will not settle, seek urgent care, and for severe uncontrolled bleeding go to A&E.

Being seen quickly in Glasgow

Day Night Dental runs a 24-hour emergency line from our Merchant City practice, and we hold back same-day appointments every day for exactly these situations. Rather than waiting for an out-of-hours slot that could be miles away, you can call for urgent help straight away and get clear advice on what to do next. Call as early as you can, as the first appointments go quickly.

A small home kit worth keeping

A few inexpensive items make a real difference in the moment: a painkiller you tolerate, some dental wax, a tube of temporary filling cement, sugar-free gum, and a small clean container for a knocked-out tooth. Save our number in your phone now, so you are not searching for it in pain at 2am.

Common questions