Emergency dental care

Emergency dentist in Crewe

If you have sudden toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, swelling, or a lost filling or crown, call us as early in the day as possible. We will assess your symptoms, aim to relieve your pain and explain the appropriate treatment options before any treatment begins.

01270 581024 Request an appointment

For the fastest response, please call us. If we are closed, listen to the instructions on our recorded message. You can also send an enquiry and our team will respond during practice opening hours.

Someone reaching for their phone to call an emergency dentist

Call 999 or go to A&E now if

you have a serious injury to your face or jaw; heavy bleeding from your mouth that will not stop; severe swelling of your mouth, lips, throat or neck; difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; swelling affecting an eye or your eyesight; or a head or face injury followed by loss of consciousness, vomiting or double vision.

When to call us

Signs you should call an emergency dentist

Some dental problems require prompt assessment. Call us if you have any of the following symptoms or concerns.

  • Severe or persistent tooth or mouth pain affecting your sleep or daily activities
  • A knocked-out tooth or another injury to your teeth
  • A broken, chipped or loose tooth causing pain or sharp edges
  • A broken or loose filling, crown, bridge, denture or veneer
  • Severe pain or continued bleeding after a recent tooth extraction
  • Swelling, a lump or a patch in your mouth that is getting worse or not going away
  • Possible infection, including intense pain, swelling, pus, a bad taste or a high temperature
  • A mouth ulcer lasting two weeks or more that has not healed or has become worse

Not sure whether you need an emergency appointment? Call and describe your symptoms. Our team will take the relevant details and help arrange the appropriate next step.

01270 581024
Man holding his jaw because of toothache

What to expect

What happens at an emergency appointment

Coming in when you are in pain can feel worrying. Your appointment will focus on assessing the problem, explaining your options and providing appropriate urgent care where possible.

  1. Assessment and X-rays where needed
    Your dentist will ask about your symptoms, examine the affected area and may recommend X-rays or other tests where clinically necessary.
  2. We explain what we find
    Your dentist will explain the likely cause of the problem and the treatment options available in language you can understand.
  3. Options and costs before treatment
    We will explain what the proposed treatment involves and the likely cost. You will have an opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
  4. Care for the immediate problem
    Depending on what is found, treatment may focus on relieving pain or stabilising the problem. Local anaesthetic may be used where appropriate. Emergency treatment can be temporary, and further treatment may require another appointment.
  5. Aftercare and the next step
    Before you leave, we will explain how to look after the area, when to contact us again and whether any follow-up treatment is recommended.

While you wait

Common dental emergencies and what to do

These steps may help until you can be seen. They are holding measures, not a substitute for treatment, so please still call us.

Severe toothache

If toothache is affecting your sleep or daily activities, contact a dentist for an urgent assessment. While waiting, you may:

  • Ask a pharmacist about suitable pain relief and follow the instructions on the packet
  • Rinse with warm salt water if you are an adult
  • Eat soft foods and avoid chewing with the painful tooth
  • Avoid foods and drinks that are very hot, cold or sweet

Do not give aspirin to anyone under 16, and do not place aspirin or another painkiller directly against the tooth or gum.

Toothache has several possible causes and needs assessment if it persists or becomes severe.

A knocked-out adult tooth

A knocked-out adult tooth needs emergency dental care as soon as possible. Call us immediately and:

  • Hold the tooth by the crown, the white part you normally see, not the root
  • If it is dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or saliva
  • Try to place it back in the socket only if it goes back easily
  • Bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in position
  • If it cannot be reinserted, keep it in milk or saliva

Do not touch or scrub the root, store the tooth in water or allow it to dry out. Never put a baby tooth back into its socket.

A broken or chipped tooth

Contact a dentist if you have chipped, cracked or broken a tooth. While waiting:

  • Put any broken tooth fragments in milk or saliva and bring them with you
  • Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze if the area is bleeding
  • Use a cold compress against the outside of your cheek if it is swollen
  • Avoid chewing with the affected tooth

A dentist may be able to reattach the fragment, depending on the damage.

A lost filling or crown

A lost filling or crown can leave the tooth sensitive and more vulnerable to damage. Until you are seen:

  • Keep the crown somewhere safe and bring it to your appointment
  • Avoid chewing with the affected tooth
  • Avoid foods and drinks that trigger sensitivity
  • Ask a pharmacist about temporary filling material if appropriate

Do not use household glue or superglue, and do not force the crown back into place.

A dental abscess or swelling

A dental abscess is an infection that requires urgent treatment by a dentist and will not go away on its own. While waiting, you can ask a pharmacist about suitable pain relief, eat soft foods and avoid very hot or cold food and drink.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have severe swelling in your mouth, difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, or swelling affecting an eye or your eyesight.

Bleeding that will not stop

If you have been given specific aftercare instructions by your dentist, follow those first. Otherwise, sit upright and bite firmly on slightly dampened clean gauze or a folded clean cloth for 20 minutes without repeatedly lifting it to check.

If the bleeding continues, contact a dentist or NHS 111 for urgent advice.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have heavy bleeding from your mouth that will not stop.

These are temporary holding measures and do not replace professional dental assessment. Call 01270 581024 so our team can take the relevant details and help arrange the appropriate next step.

Emergency treatment

What emergency treatment may involve

Treatment depends on the clinical assessment and may include one or more of the following:

  • Tooth extraction

    Removing a tooth where your dentist determines that it cannot be restored or another treatment is not appropriate.

  • Refitting a crown or bridge

    Refitting a loose restoration where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.

  • Draining a dental abscess

    Draining the infected area where appropriate to reduce pressure. Further treatment may be needed to address the cause.

  • Repairing a broken tooth

    Smoothing a sharp edge or providing a temporary or tooth-coloured repair where clinically suitable.

  • Temporary filling

    Protecting or sealing the tooth temporarily until the appropriate definitive treatment can be completed.

  • Managing dental trauma

    Assessing and stabilising a knocked-out, displaced or injured tooth where possible, or arranging an appropriate referral.

Emergency care may be temporary. Further treatment may require another appointment and additional fees. Your dentist will explain the available options, what they involve and the likely costs before asking for your consent.

Nervous patients

If you feel anxious about coming in

A dental emergency can feel particularly stressful if you already find dental visits difficult. Please tell us how you are feeling. We will listen, explain what is happening and take your concerns into account when planning your care.

  • We will ask what worries you and what has helped during previous visits
  • Your examination and proposed treatment will be explained before they begin
  • You can ask questions or request a pause at any time
  • Where clinically possible, we will work at a pace that feels manageable

Please tell us when you call or send your enquiry. With your permission, our reception team can add a note for the dental team so your concerns can be considered when preparing for your appointment.

Need urgent dental help in Crewe?

Call us as early as possible so we can take the relevant details. You can also request an appointment and our team will respond during practice opening hours.

Request an appointment 01270 581024