We’ve seen a bit of everything at our Marylebone clinic. Cracked molars from hard bread, swollen faces out of nowhere, patients turning up late at night convinced it’s a dental emergency (and sometimes, it is.)
But other times, it’s something that can wait a day or two. So if you’ve ever typed “is this a dental emergency?” into Google at 2am, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. And we’re here to help you make sense of what really needs urgent attention, and what’s okay to monitor for now.
First, what actually is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency isn’t just about pain. Although that’s usually a big red flag. It’s about anything that needs urgent care to stop bleeding, prevent infection, or save a tooth.
Here are situations we’d class as true dental emergencies:
- Severe toothache that won’t ease up
If you’re reaching for painkillers every few hours and it’s not touching the sides, that’s your body’s way of saying something’s not right. Often, this kind of pain is linked to infection or deep nerve involvement. - A knocked-out tooth
Whether it’s from a fall, sports injury, or something totally random (we’ve seen everything), a tooth that’s been completely dislodged needs to be addressed right away. Time is critical here. Ideally within 30 minutes. - A loose adult tooth
If your adult tooth suddenly feels wobbly and you haven’t just finished orthodontic treatment, it’s worth being seen fast. It might be a sign of underlying bone loss, gum infection, or trauma. - Swelling in the face or gums
Especially if it’s spreading, painful, or comes with difficulty breathing or swallowing. This can indicate a serious infection that needs urgent drainage and care. - Bleeding that won’t stop
After an extraction, a fall, or any injury, bleeding that continues for more than 20 minutes with pressure is a clear sign you need to be seen. - Signs of infection including pus, fever, or a bad taste
These symptoms can point to an abscess or other serious issue. Left untreated, infections in the mouth can travel elsewhere in the body.
We’ve treated hundreds of emergency cases in our dental clinic in Baker Street. No two are the same. But what they all have in common is that the sooner we catch them, the better the outcome.
Now, what’s not usually a dental emergency?
Sometimes, what feels like an emergency is actually something we can book you in for within a few days. That doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Just that it’s not time-critical.
Here are a few examples:
- A chipped tooth without pain
If it’s a cosmetic chip and there’s no sensitivity, it can usually wait. Still, we always recommend booking in soon to avoid further damage. - Lost filling or crown (without pain)
It might feel strange, but unless it’s causing pain or exposing the tooth nerve, we can usually see you in regular hours. - Mild sensitivity to hot or cold
This can be an early warning of enamel wear or a small cavity, but it doesn’t usually need same-day attention unless it escalates. - Bleeding gums while brushing
This is often an early sign of gum inflammation. It’s important, but not an emergency. We’ll guide you through a full gum health review.
That said, if you’re ever unsure, just call us. We’d always rather talk it through than have you sitting at home in pain or worry. You can book an appointment with our biological hygienist if you are worried about bleeding gums while brushing.
Why speed matters in some cases
When it comes to dental emergencies, your mouth is connected to the rest of your body far more than people realise. An untreated infection in the gums, for example, doesn’t just stay put. It can affect your immune system, your heart health, even your energy levels.
At our Marylebone clinic, we take a whole-body approach to dental care. So when someone walks in with a dental emergency, we’re not just looking at the tooth. We’re looking at what it means for their full system.
What we do when you come in:
We’re located just behind Clarence Gate Gardens, a few minutes’ walk from Baker Street station. If you call us with an emergency, here’s what usually happens:
- We’ll talk to you first. To understand the symptoms, check your medical history, and assess how urgently you need to be seen.
- If it’s urgent, we’ll get you in the same day, often within hours.
- Once you’re here, we’ll carry out a thorough, pain-free assessment and get you stabilised.
- If treatment is needed, whether it’s draining an abscess, securing a loose tooth, or providing natural pain support, we’ll explain every step and tailor it to your body’s needs.
We don’t just patch things up. Our goal is to resolve the emergency while supporting long-term health.
What if it’s out of hours?
We keep emergency slots available during clinic hours, and we’re open late on certain evenings. If something happens overnight or on the weekend, call our number and follow the voicemail instructions. We’ll always do our best to get back to you quickly and advise on next steps.
Prevention still wins
While we’re always here when things go sideways, the best approach is still prevention. Regular check-ups, a diet that supports oral and systemic health, and avoiding overly aggressive brushing can go a long way.
We also offer holistic therapies that reduce inflammation and support the mouth’s natural defences, including ozone therapy or nutrition coaching where needed. These are the kinds of extras that make a big difference over time.
Book a consultation here.
FAQs
- What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
Try not to panic. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it’s clean, try to gently place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, pop it in a small container of milk or hold it inside your cheek. Then call us right away. Timing is key, and we’ve helped many patients save knocked-out teeth by acting quickly.
- Can I come in for an emergency appointment if I’m not a regular patient?
Yes, absolutely. We regularly see new patients for emergency care. Whether you’re visiting London or just haven’t found your regular dentist yet, we’ll do everything we can to help you feel calm, cared for, and properly looked after.
- What counts as urgent tooth pain?
If the pain is intense, constant, throbbing, or waking you up at night, that’s urgent. It could be a sign of infection or nerve involvement. Pain that lingers for days or spreads to your jaw or ear needs attention quickly, and we’re set up to deal with this here in our Marylebone clinic.
- I have swelling in my face. Is that serious?
Yes, facial swelling could mean a serious infection and should never be ignored. If it’s spreading, comes with a fever, or is making it hard to open your mouth or swallow, call us immediately. Infections in the mouth can affect the whole body and need quick treatment.
- Do you offer any natural or holistic options during emergency treatments?
We do. Our approach always considers the whole body, not just the teeth. Depending on the situation, we may offer ozone therapy to reduce bacteria and inflammation, along with other gentle, body-safe materials to support healing. We’ll walk you through all your options when you come in.
📞 Call us on 020 3921 1000
📧 Email us at hello@optimaldental.co.uk
