Step 1
Welcome & Medical History
We review your medical history, medications and allergies, and listen to your symptoms before examining you.
Need an emergency dentist in East Dulwich? Contact Dulwich Dental Centre for urgent dental assessment and appointment availability.
Urgent Appointments · Subject to Availability
Emergency Dentist in East Dulwich
Need an emergency dentist in East Dulwich? Contact Dulwich Dental Centre for assessment of toothache, swelling or a damaged tooth. Same-day appointments may be available; please call to check.
If we are closed or you cannot get an urgent appointment, contact NHS 111. Read the NHS guide to getting urgent dental help. Call 999 or go to A&E for severe swelling affecting breathing, heavy mouth bleeding that will not stop, or serious facial injuries.
Urgent Dental Care
When to contact an emergency dentist in East Dulwich
A dental emergency is any problem that causes pain, swelling, bleeding or damage that needs prompt professional attention. If any of the below sounds familiar, please call us straight away.
Severe Toothache
Persistent, throbbing or spontaneous tooth pain — especially at night — that isn’t relieved by painkillers.
Broken Tooth
A tooth fractured while eating, from an old filling giving way, or from an accidental knock.
Cracked Tooth
Sharp pain when biting or releasing pressure, often with sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet.
Swelling
Facial or gum swelling around a tooth, which may indicate infection and needs urgent assessment.
Wisdom Tooth Pain
Ache, tenderness or inflammation around a partially erupted wisdom tooth (pericoronitis).
Broken Denture
A fractured, cracked or ill-fitting denture that needs prompt repair or adjustment.
Lost Filling or Crown
A filling or crown that has come out, leaving a sharp edge or exposed tooth surface.
Dental Infection
Signs of infection such as bad taste, discharge, throbbing pain or a tender gum abscess.
Trauma or Injury
A knocked-out, loosened or displaced tooth after a fall, sports injury or accident.
What We Treat
Emergency dental care: problems we assess
Our emergency dentist in East Dulwich assesses the cause of your symptoms before discussing treatment. The examples below explain some common problems and possible next steps.
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Emergency 1Severe Toothache
Many toothaches are caused by decay reaching the nerve (pulp). Once the inflamed pulp is under pressure, pain can become intense and difficult to ignore.
At your visit to our emergency dentist in East Dulwich, we will:
- Examine the tooth carefully
- Take digital X-rays when clinically needed
- Diagnose the underlying cause
If the nerve is inflamed beyond recovery, we may perform an emergency pulpotomy to remove the inflamed pulp and settle the pain, before completing root canal treatment at a follow-up appointment.
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Emergency 2Emergency dental care for a broken tooth
Teeth commonly fracture because of:
- Large or ageing fillings
- Weakened tooth structure
- Grinding or clenching
- Biting hard food unexpectedly
Treatment depends on how the tooth has broken. Some fractures can be neatly repaired with a filling, while deeper or more extensive breaks may need an onlay or crown to protect the remaining tooth.
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Emergency 3Emergency dental care for a painful cracked tooth
Cracked tooth syndrome typically causes sharp, unpredictable pain when biting down on food — and again when the pressure is released. Cracks are often microscopic and may not show up on X-rays.
Treatment depends on the depth and position of the crack. Our emergency dentist in East Dulwich can assess the tooth and explain whether a restoration, root canal treatment or another approach may be suitable.
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Emergency 4Wisdom Tooth Pain (Pericoronitis)
Food and bacteria can become trapped beneath the gum flap around a partially erupted wisdom tooth. This causes inflammation and pain known as pericoronitis.
Treatment may include:
- Careful cleaning beneath the gum
- Gentle irrigation of the area
- Advice on home cleaning
- Pain relief
- Antibiotics where clinically indicated
If infections keep coming back, our emergency dentist in East Dulwich can discuss further care, including whether wisdom tooth removal may be appropriate.
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Emergency 5Emergency dental care for swelling or infection
Dental infections should always be assessed promptly. Treatment depends on the source of the infection, and we aim to remove the cause whenever possible — not just mask the symptoms.
Antibiotics alone rarely cure a dental infection without also treating the affected tooth. That is why a proper emergency examination — including X-rays where needed — is so important.
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Emergency 6Broken Denture
A broken denture can affect eating and speaking. Our emergency dentist in East Dulwich can assess the damage and discuss repair options. Laboratory availability and the type of damage determine the timescale.
Please do not attempt to fix a denture with household glue — this can distort the fit and make a professional repair much more difficult.
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Emergency 7Sensitive Teeth
Sudden or severe sensitivity can be caused by:
- Worn enamel
- Gum recession
- Exposed root surfaces
- Cracked teeth
- Leaking fillings
Treatment always starts with identifying the underlying cause, then addressing it with the most conservative option that will settle your symptoms and protect the tooth long-term.
Your Appointment
Your emergency dentist in East Dulwich: the appointment
Your emergency dentist in East Dulwich reviews your symptoms, examines the affected area and explains suitable treatment. Our priority is to identify the cause and help manage your pain.
Step 2
Digital X-rays
Where needed, digital X-rays allow us to see what is happening beneath the surface of the tooth.
Step 3
Comprehensive Examination
A thorough clinical examination to reach a clear diagnosis of the cause of your pain or problem.
Step 4
Emergency dental care and pain relief
Pain relief plus temporary or definitive treatment — whatever is safest and most appropriate today.
Step 5
Treatment Plan
We explain what has happened, what has been done today, and any further appointments needed.
FAQ
Emergency dentist in East Dulwich: your questions
Considering a visit to our emergency dentist in East Dulwich? These answers explain availability, treatment and fees.
Can you see me today?
We aim to offer same-day appointments whenever possible, subject to availability and clinical need. Please call early to check. If we are closed or you cannot obtain urgent care, contact NHS 111 for advice.
Will you remove my tooth immediately?
Not necessarily. We assess the tooth, discuss your options and explain their benefits and limitations. These may include a repair, root canal treatment or extraction, depending on your circumstances and preferences.
Will I need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically indicated, such as when infection is spreading. In most cases, treating the underlying tooth is what resolves the problem — not antibiotics alone.
Can you perform root canal treatment?
Yes. If a tooth requires root canal treatment we can either begin the procedure at your emergency visit to relieve pain, or plan a dedicated appointment to complete it comfortably.
What if my crown falls out?
Keep the crown safe and clean, and call us. In many cases a crown can be gently re-cemented at your emergency appointment provided the underlying tooth is healthy.
What if my filling falls out?
A lost filling is usually not painful at first, but the tooth can quickly become sensitive or break further. We can place a temporary or definitive filling to protect the tooth.
Should I come if my face is swollen?
Facial swelling needs urgent assessment. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, a swollen or painful eye, or changes to your eyesight. Do not wait for a dental appointment in these circumstances.
How much does an emergency appointment cost?
The emergency assessment fee is £85. We explain any additional treatment costs before proceeding. See our private treatment price guide or ask our reception team when you call.
Here to Help
Contact an emergency dentist in East Dulwich
Call our emergency dentist in East Dulwich to check appointment availability. We will explain the next steps and arrange an assessment where possible.