In a genuine dental emergency, you should be seen by a dentist within 1-24 hours.

The exact timeframe depends on the nature of the emergency:

• Within 1 Hour (Immediate): For traumatic injuries like a knocked-out (avulsed) tooth or uncontrolled bleeding. The chances of saving a tooth are highest if treated within 60 minutes.

• Same Day (Urgent): For severe pain, swelling, or a dental abscess. These indicate an active infection or nerve damage that requires prompt care to relieve pain and prevent the condition from worsening or spreading.

• Within 24 Hours (Prompt): For broken teeth, lost fillings/crowns, or moderate pain. While less immediately critical, delaying can lead to further damage, infection, or more complex treatment later.

Delaying emergency dental care often turns a simple treatment into a complex one. Prompt attention alleviates pain, prevents complications, and improves outcomes.

At Duthie Dental in Liverpool, we prioritise same-day appointments for dental emergencies. Our goal is to see urgent cases as quickly as possible, often within hours of your call.

Do not “wait and see.” If you believe you have a dental emergency, contact us immediately at 0151 722 2642 for advice and to be scheduled for prompt treatment.

Yes, severe tooth pain is almost always a dental emergency.

While some mild sensitivity may be monitored, severe, persistent, or throbbing pain is your body’s urgent signal that something is seriously wrong. It typically indicates underlying issues that will worsen without prompt professional treatment, such as:

• A deep infection or dental abscess

• Advanced tooth decay reaching the nerve

• A cracked or fractured tooth

• A failed previous restoration (like a lost filling or crown)

Ignoring severe pain can lead to the spread of infection, increased risk of tooth loss, and more complex (and costly) treatments later.

At Duthie Dental in Liverpool, we treat severe tooth pain as a priority. We provide same-day emergency appointments to diagnose the cause, relieve your pain immediately, and plan the necessary treatment to restore your health.

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, do not wait. Contact us right away at 0151 722 2642 for urgent care.

As a general rule, you should not go to A&E for a routine dental problem. Hospital A&E departments are not equipped to provide definitive dental treatment (like fillings, root canals, or extractions) and will often only offer pain relief or antibiotics for severe infections before referring you to a dentist.

Go to A&E or Urgent Care only if you have a dental issue accompanied by any of the following:

• Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth that does not stop with pressure.

• Severe facial swelling that is spreading to your eye, neck, or floor of your mouth, or is causing difficulty breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth.

• Trauma to the face or jaws following an accident or injury, especially if you suspect a broken jaw.

• A high fever (over 39°C) or feeling severely unwell in conjunction with dental pain, which may indicate a spreading systemic infection.

For all other urgent dental problems, contact an emergency dentist.

Issues like severe toothaches, lost fillings, broken teeth, abscesses (without the systemic symptoms above), and lost crowns should be treated by a dental professional.

Duthie Dental in Liverpool provides urgent emergency appointments for precisely these situations. We have the equipment and expertise to diagnose the cause of your pain, provide immediate relief, and perform the necessary treatment to resolve the problem.

If you are unsure, always call us first. For urgent dental care that does not require A&E, contact our team directly at 0151 722 2642 for prompt advice and treatment.

Until you can see a dentist, you can:

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen (if suitable for you) to reduce inflammation and pain.

• Rinse with warm salt water to cleanse the area and soothe irritation.

• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and numb discomfort.

• Avoid extreme temperatures and hard foods on the affected side.

Important: These are temporary measures. Unbearable pain often indicates a serious underlying issue such as an abscess, severe infection, or nerve damage. Delaying professional treatment risks complications. At Duthie Dental in Liverpool, we provide urgent care to diagnose the cause of your severe pain and deliver lasting relief. Treatment may include emergency root canal therapy, tooth extraction, or antibiotics for infection. Don’t endure the pain. For immediate assistance, contact our emergency dental team now at 0151 722 2642.

A dental emergency is any situation requiring immediate professional attention to save a tooth, stop severe pain, treat a serious infection, or control bleeding. It’s helpful to distinguish between actual clinical emergencies and social/urgent care needs.

🚨 Actual Dental Emergencies (Require IMMEDIATE Attention)

These are situations that pose an immediate threat to your health and need treatment within the hour or same day:

• Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth: Time is critical (within 60 minutes is ideal for possible re-implantation).

• Uncontrolled Bleeding from the mouth or gums.

• Severe Infection or Dental Abscess with significant swelling in your face, cheek, or jaw, especially if accompanied by fever or difficulty swallowing/breathing (this may require A&E if breathing is compromised).

• Traumatic Injury to teeth, jaws, or face from an accident.

• Severe, Unrelenting Tooth Pain that prevents sleep, eating, or concentration.

⚠️ Urgent Dental Care Needs (Require Prompt Attention within 24-48 Hours)

Often called “social emergencies,” these issues cause significant discomfort or risk to dental health and should not be ignored, but do not typically threaten overall physical health immediately:

• Lost Crown or Filling (especially if in pain).

• Chipped or Cracked Tooth (without severe pain but with sharp edges).

• Broken Dentures or Orthodontic Wires causing trauma to soft tissues.

• Moderate Toothache or Sensitivity.

• Food or Object Lodged between teeth causing significant pain or pressure.

What to Do in Any Emergency

If you experience any of the above, contact an emergency dentist, not A&E (unless you have severe systemic symptoms like high fever, difficulty breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding as noted).

At Duthie Dental in Liverpool, we treat both clinical and urgent care emergencies. We provide same-day appointments to address pain, prevent complications, and resolve your dental issue promptly.

If you’re unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call us. It’s always better to seek professional advice. Contact our team immediately for guidance and urgent care at 0151 722 2642.

Being a Denplan member at Duthie Dental provides crucial advantages during a dental emergency, ensuring you receive immediate care with minimal stress and financial worry.

Key benefits for emergencies include:

• Priority Access: We prioritise appointment bookings for our Denplan members, helping you get seen faster when urgent issues arise.

• Financial Certainty: Most emergency treatments, including examinations, X-rays, and urgent procedures, are typically covered by your regular monthly plan. This removes the stress of unexpected costs during a distressing time.

• Focused on Care, Not Cost: With the financial aspect managed, our team can concentrate solely on resolving your pain and dental issue promptly.

• Continuous Care Relationship: As a registered patient under our care, we have your full dental history, allowing for quicker, more informed emergency treatment decisions.

• Worldwide & 24/7 Cover: For just 60p per month on top of your membership, you can add Denplan Emergency Dental Cover. This gives you 24/7 access to emergency dental advice and treatment anywhere in the UK or abroad, 365 days a year.

In short, Denplan membership turns a stressful dental emergency into a manageable situation with swift access, predictable costs, and trusted care.

Need urgent dental care in Liverpool? Whether you are a Denplan member or not, contact Duthie Dental immediately at 0151 722 2642.