Emergency Dentist in Whitton, Twickenham
Urgent dental care for toothache, broken teeth, lost crowns, knocked-out teeth, dental abscesses and wisdom tooth pain. Open 7 days a week — including Sunday mornings.
Or call 020 8755 7900·Whitton, Twickenham
Dental Emergencies
If you are in pain, do not wait — most dental emergencies get worse without treatment. Here is what to do before you reach us, and what treatment usually looks like.
Painkiller guidance: Where painkiller advice is given below, take paracetamol and/or ibuprofen only if suitable for you and strictly according to the packet instructions — do not exceed the stated dose. Avoid ibuprofen if you have stomach ulcers, kidney disease, asthma triggered by anti-inflammatory medication, are pregnant, or have been advised not to take NSAIDs. If in doubt, paracetamol alone is the safer choice. Painkillers may ease discomfort but do not treat the underlying cause — professional assessment is always necessary.
Severe Toothache
Persistent, throbbing or severe pain — particularly pain that wakes you at night or fails to settle with over-the-counter painkillers — may indicate inflammation or infection of the nerve and should be assessed promptly.
Do now
Take paracetamol and/or ibuprofen if suitable for you and according to the packet instructions. Avoid very hot, cold or sweet foods on the affected side. Contact us for an urgent appointment.
Treatment
Examination and X-ray to identify the cause. Treatment may include a temporary or permanent filling, root canal treatment, or — where the tooth cannot be saved — extraction. All options will be discussed with you before anything is started.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
A fractured tooth can range from a minor chip to a deeper break. Some fractures may expose the nerve and cause significant pain or sensitivity. The tooth may also feel sharp against the tongue or cheek.
Do now
Save any fragments in a clean container. Rinse gently with warm salt water. Avoid chewing on that side and contact us for an assessment.
Treatment
Depending on the extent of the fracture: smoothing, composite bonding, an inlay, onlay or crown. If the nerve is involved, root canal treatment may be needed before restoring the tooth. Options will be explained clearly.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A permanent (adult) tooth that has been completely knocked out requires urgent attention. The sooner it is seen, the better the chance of saving it — ideally within 30 minutes. Important: do not attempt to reinsert a knocked-out baby (milk) tooth, as this can damage the developing adult tooth beneath.
Do now
Handle by the crown only — do not touch the root. If dirty, rinse briefly in milk or cool saline (not tap water). Gently reinsert into the socket if you can, or keep in milk or between the cheek and gum. Call us immediately.
Treatment
Re-implantation and splinting where clinically appropriate. Root canal treatment is usually required in the weeks following. Long-term prognosis depends on how quickly the tooth is seen and how it has been stored.
Lost Crown or Filling
When a crown or filling comes out, the exposed tooth can be sensitive to temperature, pressure and sweet foods, and is at greater risk of further damage or decay if left unprotected.
Do now
Keep the crown if you have it. Avoid chewing on that side. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy may help short term until you are seen — but is not a substitute for treatment. Contact us promptly.
Treatment
Re-cementation of the existing crown where possible, or a new restoration if the original is damaged or no longer fits. Any underlying decay will be addressed at the same visit.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a bacterial infection causing a collection of pus. Symptoms include persistent throbbing pain, localised swelling, a bad taste or smell, fever, and feeling generally unwell. Abscesses will not resolve on their own and require prompt professional treatment.
Do now
Take paracetamol and/or ibuprofen if suitable for you and according to the packet instructions. Rinse gently with warm salt water. Do NOT apply heat to the face. Contact us urgently. If you develop rapidly increasing facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or feel very unwell with a high fever, go to A&E immediately or call 999.
Treatment
Drainage, root canal treatment or extraction to remove the source of infection. Antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically necessary — such as spreading infection, facial swelling or systemic symptoms — and are not a substitute for treating the underlying cause, in line with UK antimicrobial stewardship guidance.
Soft-Tissue Injury
Cuts or lacerations to the lips, cheek, tongue or gum — often after a fall, sports injury or accident — can bleed heavily but usually settle with firm pressure. Associated tooth or jaw injuries should always be assessed.
Do now
Apply firm, continuous pressure with clean gauze or a cloth for at least 10 minutes without lifting to check. Apply a cold compress to the outside. If bleeding does not stop after 10–15 minutes of sustained pressure, contact us urgently or attend urgent care.
Treatment
Assessment for associated dental or bone injury, thorough cleaning of the wound, and suturing where required. A review may be arranged to check healing.
Wisdom Tooth Infection (Pericoronitis)
Pericoronitis is inflammation and infection around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, where the overlying gum flap traps food and bacteria. It causes pain, swelling, a bad taste, and — in more severe cases — difficulty opening the mouth, fever, or swelling of the face or neck.
Do now
Rinse carefully with warm salt water around the area. Take paracetamol and/or ibuprofen if suitable for you and according to the packet instructions. Do NOT apply heat to the face. Contact us for an urgent appointment. If you develop swelling spreading to the face or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or feel very unwell, go to A&E immediately or call 999.
Treatment
Irrigation and debridement of the area to remove trapped debris and bacteria. Antibiotics may be prescribed where there is evidence of spreading infection or systemic involvement — not as routine first-line treatment, in line with UK antimicrobial stewardship guidance. Once the acute episode has resolved, extraction of the wisdom tooth is usually recommended to prevent recurrence.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading to the neck, high fever, or swelling closing the eye?
These are signs of a potentially serious spreading infection and constitute a medical emergency. Go to A&E immediately or call 999 — do not wait to call the dental practice first. Facial swelling that extends below the jawline or causes airway symptoms requires urgent hospital assessment.
In pain right now? Call the clinic.
We reserve emergency slots every day. Speak to our team and we will do our best to fit you in.
From Phone Call to Pain Relief
Our emergency appointments are structured to get you out of pain quickly — and give you a clear plan for what comes next.
Call the clinic
Call 020 8755 7900 as early as you can. We will triage your symptoms over the phone and book you into a reserved emergency slot as soon as we can.
Come in & be assessed
When you arrive we will take a targeted history, examine the painful area and usually take an X-ray. Most problems can be diagnosed within 15 minutes.
Pain relief today
The immediate priority is controlling pain and stabilising the tooth — temporary dressings, drainage, or opening a tooth to relieve pressure. Our aim is to have you as comfortable as possible before you leave.
Definitive treatment
Where time allows, we start definitive treatment (filling, root canal, crown, or extraction) at the same visit. Otherwise we book a follow-up within days.
Clear, honest emergency fees
Your emergency appointment covers diagnosis, X-ray and immediate pain relief. Any definitive treatment — filling, root canal, crown or extraction — is quoted separately before we proceed, so there are never any surprises.
After your emergency visit
Root Canal Treatment
Saves a tooth where the nerve is infected or inflamed.
Crowns
Full coverage for a heavily broken or root-treated tooth.
Tooth Extractions
Gentle removal when a tooth cannot be saved, with replacement options.
White Fillings
Discreet, tooth-coloured restorations for decay or small fractures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cannot find what you are looking for? Our team answers every enquiry personally.
How do I book an emergency dental appointment?
Call the clinic on 020 8755 7900 as early as possible. We reserve emergency slots each day for patients in pain and will do our best to fit you in. We are open 7 days a week including Sunday mornings.
Do I need to be a registered patient?
No. We welcome new and existing patients for emergency care. Your first visit will focus on relieving the immediate problem. If you would like us to become your regular dental practice, we can arrange a full new-patient examination afterwards.
What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
This guidance applies to adult (permanent) teeth only — do not attempt to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth, as this can damage the developing tooth beneath. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse briefly in milk or cool saline if dirty. Gently reinsert into the socket if you can, or store in milk or between the cheek and gum. The sooner the tooth is re-implanted, the better the chance of saving it — ideally within 30 minutes. Call us immediately so we can prepare.
How much does an emergency dental appointment cost?
An emergency consultation (including diagnosis, X-ray and immediate pain relief) is charged at our published emergency fee. Any definitive treatment is quoted separately before we proceed. Our full fee schedule is on the dental fees page.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe toothache, facial swelling, a knocked-out or loose adult tooth, a broken or chipped tooth, a lost crown or filling, uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction, or an abscess are all dental emergencies. If you are unsure, call us and we will advise.
What if I have facial swelling or difficulty swallowing?
Facial swelling combined with difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, swelling spreading to the neck, a high fever, or swelling that is closing the eye are signs of a potentially serious spreading infection. Go to A&E immediately or call 999 — do not wait to contact the dental practice first. For facial swelling without these red flags, contact us urgently — a dental abscess requires prompt professional treatment.
What is pericoronitis and how is it treated?
Pericoronitis is inflammation and infection around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, caused when the overlying gum flap traps food and bacteria. Symptoms include pain, swelling, a bad taste, and sometimes difficulty opening the mouth. Rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter painkillers if suitable for you. Contact us for an urgent appointment. If you develop swelling spreading to the face or neck, difficulty swallowing, or feel very unwell, go to A&E immediately. Treatment involves cleaning the area; antibiotics may be prescribed if infection is spreading. Extraction of the wisdom tooth is often recommended once the acute episode has settled.
Spread the cost — interest-free.
You pay the treatment price, nothing more — over terms that suit you. Longer low-APR options are available for larger plans like Invisalign, veneers and implants.
See fees & financeApproval, terms and any deposit requirements are subject to status and are confirmed during your consultation.
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