RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsDental pain
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Arrange a dental appointment if toothache lasts more than 2 days, is not controlled by pain relief, or comes with fever, pain on biting, a bad taste or swelling of the cheek or jaw.
- Seek urgent dental advice for increasing swelling or severe pain. A GP cannot provide the dental treatment needed to fix the cause.
- If your dentist is closed, you do not have a dentist, or you are unsure where to get urgent dental care, call NHS 111.
- A dentist or urgent dental service is the right service for a tooth problem; a GP cannot provide dental treatment. Contact your dentist, or call NHS 111 if you cannot get urgent dental care or the practice is closed. A pharmacist can advise on temporary pain relief while you arrange dental care.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Swelling around the eye or in the neck.
- Swelling in the mouth or neck causing difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking.
- Rapidly increasing facial swelling with severe illness or collapse.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Toothachehttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/toothache/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/