For most dental emergencies in Northampton, ring your own dental practice first, and if it is closed or you do not have a dentist, contact NHS 111 by phone or online. Go to A&E or call 999 only for serious injuries to the face or jaw, bleeding from the mouth that will not stop, or swelling that is affecting your breathing, swallowing or eyes. A knocked-out adult tooth is the one problem where every minute counts.
Dental pain tends to arrive at the worst moment, and the hardest part is often working out who to call and how quickly you need to be seen. This guide sorts common dental problems by urgency, so you can match what is happening to the right service.
If you are registered with a practice, it should be your first call during opening hours. Many practices keep some time aside for urgent cases each day; for example, a dentist Northampton patients rely on may be able to fit you in on the same day if you ring early. If you have no dentist, or it is the evening or weekend, NHS 111 is the route the NHS recommends.
What does the NHS count as an urgent dental problem?
The NHS says you should get urgent dental advice if you have:
- A knocked-out tooth or another injury to your teeth
- Severe tooth or mouth pain that is affecting your sleep or daily activities and is not eased by common painkillers
- Tooth or mouth pain that painkillers help with, but that is not going away
- Swelling, a lump, or a red or white patch in your mouth that is getting bigger or not going away
- A mouth ulcer that has lasted 2 weeks or more without healing, or has got worse
- Bleeding or severe pain after a recent tooth removal
- A broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneer
NHS guidance says that urgent dental treatment should be offered within 24 hours or within 7 days, depending on your symptoms. The person assessing you, whether at your practice or through NHS 111, will decide which applies.
Who should you call, and how fast, for each symptom?
The table below brings together NHS guidance on toothache, dental abscesses and urgent dental care. Use it as a quick guide, not a diagnosis.
| Symptom | Who to contact | How quickly |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling making it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or swelling around the eye or neck | A&E or 999 | Immediately |
| Serious injury to the face or jaw, or a head injury causing loss of consciousness, vomiting or double vision | A&E or 999 | Immediately |
| Heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop | A&E or 999 | Immediately |
| Knocked-out adult tooth | Your dentist, or NHS 111 if closed | Within 1 hour, or as soon as possible |
| Severe toothache not helped by painkillers, or a suspected abscess | Your dentist, or NHS 111 | Urgent: ring as soon as the practice opens |
| Bleeding or severe pain after an extraction | The practice that did the extraction, or NHS 111 | Urgent appointment |
| Toothache eased by painkillers but lasting more than 2 days | Your dentist | Book an appointment soon |
| Lost filling, loose crown or broken denture without severe pain | Your dentist | Ring for urgent advice; you may not need same-day care |
When should you go to A&E instead of a dentist?
A&E departments are not set up to provide routine dental treatment, so most tooth problems should go to a dentist. However, the NHS is clear that you should go to A&E or call 999 if you have:
- Serious injuries to your face or jaw
- Heavy bleeding from your mouth that will not stop
- Severe swelling of your mouth, lips, throat or neck with difficulty breathing or opening one or both eyes
- Any injury to your head or face that has caused you to lose consciousness, vomit or have double vision
The NHS also advises that you should not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to take you, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance, and bring any medicines you take with you.
How does NHS 111 help with a dental emergency?
You can call 111 or use 111 online, and they can advise you what to do, including directing you to urgent dental care. NHS guidance on dental abscesses suggests using 111 if you have no dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment. If your practice is closed, listen to its answerphone first, as the NHS notes it may tell you what to do. A GP cannot provide dental treatment.
What does urgent NHS dental treatment cost?
In England, the NHS lists urgent dental treatment at £27.90. This can include an examination and advice, X-rays, a temporary filling, draining an abscess, emergency partial root canal treatment, removing up to 2 teeth and one urgent filling. Any further treatment may fall into a higher charge band.
NHS dental treatment is free if you are under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, or receiving certain benefits (some only below an income threshold). Private practices set their own emergency fees, which often cover the consultation only, so ask what is included when you ring.
What can you do while you wait to be seen?
The NHS suggests these steps for toothache while you are waiting:
- Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, following the packet instructions. Children under 16 should not take aspirin.
- Use a pain-relieving mouth gel.
- Try rinsing with salt water (not suitable for children).
- Eat soft foods such as yoghurt or scrambled eggs and avoid chewing on the sore side.
- Use a soft toothbrush and avoid flossing around the sore tooth.
- Avoid sweet, very hot or very cold food, and do not smoke.
What should you do if an adult tooth is knocked out?
NHS advice for a knocked-out adult tooth is to hold it by the white crown, not the root. If it is dirty, lick it clean or rinse it briefly in cold running water. Try to push it gently back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If it will not go back, keep it in milk or saliva and get to a dentist straight away. Never put a baby tooth back in, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath, but do still get your child checked.
Checklist: be ready before a dental emergency
- Save your dental practice's number in your phone and note its opening hours
- Know that NHS 111 is the number for evenings, weekends and anyone without a dentist
- Keep paracetamol and ibuprofen in the house and check which suit each family member
- Learn the A&E warning signs: breathing, swallowing, eyes, heavy bleeding
- Keep a small carton of milk in mind for a knocked-out tooth
- Check whether anyone in your household qualifies for free NHS dental care
A local example
Cliftonville Dental, a private practice at 65 The Avenue, Cliftonville, Northampton NN1 5BT, says on its website that it reserves time for both registered and unregistered emergency patients every working day and offers same-day appointments wherever possible. It suggests calling as early in the morning as you can. Its listed hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, plus one Saturday a month. Outside those times, the NHS 111 route above applies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see an emergency dentist if I am not registered anywhere?
Yes. Contact NHS 111, which can direct you to urgent dental care. Some private practices also see unregistered patients for emergencies, usually for a fee.
How quickly will I be seen through NHS 111?
The NHS says urgent dental treatment should be offered within 24 hours or 7 days depending on your symptoms, and within 1 hour, or as soon as possible, for a knocked-out adult tooth.
Should I go to A&E for a swollen face?
Go to A&E or call 999 if the swelling is affecting your breathing, swallowing, speech or eyes. For milder swelling, contact a dentist or NHS 111 urgently.
Sources
- NHS: How to find an emergency or urgent NHS dentist appointment
- NHS: Toothache
- NHS: Dental abscess
- NHS: Knocked-out tooth
- NHS: Understanding NHS dental charges
General information only, not dental or medical advice. In a life-threatening emergency call 999. NHS guidance and charges were checked in October 2026 and can change.