Dental emergencies don't always happen during practice hours.
We understand that dental emergencies don't always happen during practice hours. If you're experiencing severe dental pain, swelling, or trauma outside of our opening hours, it's important to know where to turn. This page explains your options and how to manage the situation until you can see a dentist.
What to Do Outside Practice Hours
If you have a dental emergency when we're closed, follow these steps to get the care you need:
Call NHS 111 — available 24/7, free from landlines and mobiles. They'll assess your symptoms, advise on pain management, and refer you to an out-of-hours dental service if needed.
Out-of-hours dental service — NHS 111 can direct you to the nearest emergency dental clinic in Norfolk. These services handle urgent problems like severe pain, swelling, trauma, and infections.
A&E only if necessary — go to hospital only for uncontrolled bleeding, significant facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, a serious jaw injury, or signs of a severe infection spreading.
NHS 111 — Your First Port of Call
The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call, trained advisors can:
- Assess your symptoms over the phone
- Provide advice on managing pain at home
- Refer you to an out-of-hours emergency dental service if needed
- Direct you to A&E if your situation is serious
Call 111 — it's free from landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go phones. You can also visit 111.nhs.uk for online assessment.
Managing Pain at Home
While waiting to be seen, you can take steps to manage your symptoms:
- Take over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen and/or paracetamol — follow dosage instructions)
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for swelling
- Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary food and drink
- Use temporary dental cement (from a pharmacy) for a lost filling or crown
Important — Do Not:
- Place aspirin directly on the gum — this can cause burns
- Try to treat an abscess yourself
- Ignore symptoms that are getting worse, such as increasing swelling or difficulty swallowing
These measures are temporary. Always seek professional dental care as soon as possible.
When to Go to A&E
Most dental emergencies do not require A&E. Hospital emergency departments are for:
Uncontrolled Bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth that won't stop after applying firm pressure for 15-20 minutes.
Facial Swelling
Swelling affecting breathing or swallowing — this can indicate a serious, spreading infection.
Suspected Broken Jaw
If you suspect a fracture to the jaw following trauma or injury, go to A&E immediately.
Severe Infection
High fever combined with difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing, or breathing requires urgent hospital assessment.
For toothache, lost fillings, or broken teeth, NHS 111 and out-of-hours dental services are the appropriate route — not A&E.
Follow-Up Care
If you receive emergency treatment out of hours, please call us when we reopen so we can:
- Review the emergency treatment you received
- Arrange any follow-up care needed
- Ensure your ongoing oral health is looked after
We'll always make time for patients who've had emergency treatment elsewhere. Your wellbeing is our priority, and we want to ensure continuity of care after any urgent episode.
