When something goes wrong with your teeth, it is not always clear whether the problem needs immediate attention or whether it can safely wait. Pain levels can be misleading, and some serious dental issues are not always obvious at first.
This guide explains what qualifies as a dental emergency, using clear, practical examples. Its purpose is to help you understand when urgent dental assessment is needed, when temporary measures may be appropriate, and when medical services should be involved.This guide forms part of our wider emergency dental care guidance, which explains how urgent dental problems are assessed, prioritised, and managed safely.
A dental emergency is any situation involving pain, swelling, bleeding, trauma, or infection where delay could increase risk, worsen the condition, or lead to complications.
Dental emergencies are defined by clinical risk, not inconvenience or discomfort alone. The sections below explain the most common emergency scenarios and why they require prompt assessment.
Severe toothache is often a dental emergency, particularly when pain:
These symptoms commonly indicate internal tooth inflammation, infection, or structural damage. Tooth pain rarely resolves on its own and often worsens without treatment.
Swelling of the gums, face, or jaw should always be treated as urgent.
Emergency signs include:
Dental infections can spread beyond the tooth into surrounding tissues. If swelling affects breathing or swallowing, urgent medical advice should be sought immediately.
A damaged tooth may be an emergency when it causes:
Even fractures without immediate pain can worsen quickly. Painful cracks or breaks require same-day assessment to prevent infection or further damage.
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most time-critical dental emergencies and requires immediate professional assessment.
Teeth displaced by trauma are always emergencies.
A completely knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of survival when treated within minutes, not hours. Loose or displaced teeth may also require urgent stabilisation to preserve the supporting structures.
These are among the most time-critical dental emergencies.
Bleeding that does not slow after sustained pressure requires urgent assessment.
This may occur following:
Persistent bleeding should not be ignored, particularly if it continues beyond 20–30 minutes.
Loss of a filling or crown becomes an emergency when:
If the tooth is comfortable, it may be possible to wait briefly, but prompt repair is still important to prevent further damage.
Post-treatment pain may require urgent review when it is:
This can occur after extractions, fillings, or root canal procedures and may indicate inflammation, infection, or healing complications.
Any discharge, swelling, or persistent bad taste may indicate infection.
Dental abscesses do not resolve without treatment and can spread if delayed. Early assessment helps limit complications.
Injuries from falls, accidents, or impacts may involve:
Even when damage is not immediately visible, internal injury may still be present and should be assessed promptly.
Sensitivity becomes urgent when it is:
This may indicate exposed tooth structure, cracking, or nerve involvement.
Some issues are uncomfortable but typically do not require same-day care, including:
Even when not urgent, these problems should still be assessed to prevent progression.
Immediate medical advice should be sought if dental symptoms are accompanied by:
These situations may require hospital-based care.
Uncertainty itself is a valid reason to seek advice. Dental emergencies are not always obvious, and early assessment is safer than waiting when risk is unclear.
Guidance on managing symptoms safely until assessment is available here: Temporary Fixes Before Your Appointment
If you believe urgent assessment is required, information about seeing an emergency dentist is available through the emergency care pathway.
We’re here to help, even if you’re unsure.
Our team at Deepcar Dental provides same-day emergency appointments for patients across Deepcar, Stocksbridge, Oughtibridge, Wadsley, Sheffield North and Barnsley.
Call us, describe your symptoms — and we’ll tell you exactly what to do next.