Dental pain has a habit of arriving at the worst possible time. Friday evening, Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon — when routine dental clinics are closed and the discomfort is climbing. It is no surprise that searches for "emergency dentist near me" spike at weekends across London.
Knowing what to do in those hours between the onset of pain and your appointment can make a genuine difference. The right steps reduce discomfort, protect the damaged tooth, and prevent the situation from worsening. The wrong steps — or doing nothing at all — can turn a manageable problem into a more complex one.
This guide covers practical, safe advice for managing weekend dental emergencies at home. It also explains when temporary relief is enough and when you need professional emergency dental care without delay. If you need immediate help, Emergency Dentist London offers same-day weekend appointments.
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When Do You Need a Weekend Dentist?
Not every dental issue that crops up on a Saturday morning is an emergency. A slightly sensitive tooth or a minor chip can usually wait until Monday. But several situations do warrant seeing a weekend dentist promptly.
You should seek Saturday dentist appointments or Sunday emergency dentist care if you experience:
- Severe, unrelenting pain that does not ease with over-the-counter painkillers
- Facial swelling that is spreading or getting worse
- A knocked-out or badly broken tooth — especially if nerve tissue is exposed
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth following trauma
- A lost crown or filling causing significant pain or sharp edges
- Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth alongside dental symptoms
These situations benefit from prompt assessment rather than waiting through the weekend. Our weekend emergency dentist service has appointments available on Saturdays and Sundays. For care outside normal hours during the week, visit our out of hours dentist page.
Meet Dr. Yasha Shirazi
Principal Dentist at Emergency Dentist London
"We treat hundreds of dental emergencies every month. The sooner you come in, the easier the fix usually is."
Book an appointment with our team →How to Stop Toothache Before Your Appointment
To stop toothache temporarily before your dental appointment, take ibuprofen as directed on the packaging to reduce pain and inflammation. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes. Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary food and drinks. Rinse gently with warm salt water. These steps provide emergency tooth pain relief until you can see a dentist.
Understanding how to stop toothache safely is essential when your appointment is hours — or even a day — away. Here is a practical breakdown of each step:
Pain relief medication. Ibuprofen is often the most effective choice for dental pain because it targets both pain and swelling. If ibuprofen is not suitable for you, paracetamol is an alternative. Follow the dosage instructions carefully and do not exceed the recommended amount. Alternating between ibuprofen and paracetamol — with appropriate gaps — can provide more sustained relief.
Cold compress. Wrap ice or a bag of frozen peas in a cloth and hold it against your cheek on the painful side. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove for the same duration. This helps numb the area and can reduce swelling. Minimising discomfort from toothache in this way is simple and effective.
Warm salt water rinse. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Swish gently around the affected area for 30 seconds, then spit. This helps keep the area clean and can ease inflammation around the gum.
Avoid triggers. Stay away from very hot or cold food and drinks, as these can aggravate an exposed nerve. Sugary and acidic foods can also worsen sensitivity.
For more detailed pain management advice, read our guide on how to stop tooth pain fast. If your pain is severe and worsening, our severe toothache relief service offers same-day assessment.
Home Remedies for Dental Emergency — What Is Safe?
When a dental emergency strikes at the weekend, it is natural to look for home remedies for dental emergency situations. Some common suggestions are helpful. Others can cause more harm than good.
Real Patient Result: Emergency White Filling
Treatment by Dr Kamran
Safe to try:
- Over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol) taken as directed
- Cold compress on the outside of the cheek
- Warm salt water rinses for mild swelling or gum soreness
- Clove oil applied sparingly with a cotton bud to the painful area — it contains eugenol, a natural anaesthetic
- Keeping your head slightly elevated when sleeping, which can reduce throbbing
Best to avoid:
- Placing aspirin directly on the gum — this can burn soft tissue
- Using alcohol as a mouthwash — it irritates and does not treat infection
- Ignoring worsening symptoms in the hope they settle over the weekend
- Attempting to re-cement a crown with household adhesives
Home care is a bridge to professional treatment, not a replacement. These steps buy you time and comfort until your appointment. For overnight guidance, our article on managing toothache at home at 3am covers additional strategies.
Broken Tooth Emergency Care
A broken tooth at the weekend can feel alarming, but staying calm and taking the right steps protects both the tooth and your comfort until you can see a dentist.
For broken tooth emergency care:
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area
- Save any large fragments — place them in a small container with milk or saliva
- Avoid chewing on the affected side to prevent further damage
- Cover sharp edges with dental wax, sugar-free gum, or a small piece of gauze to protect your tongue and cheek
- Take painkillers if the area is sore, following the recommended dosage
- Avoid very hot or cold food which may trigger pain if the nerve is exposed
If the break is large, exposing pink or red tissue inside the tooth, or if pain is severe, seek emergency dental care the same day rather than waiting.
Our broken tooth repair service offers same-day assessment and treatment. For cosmetic chips on front teeth, read our guide on chipped front tooth repair options.
Fixing Lost Filling at Home — Is It Safe?
Losing a filling over the weekend is uncomfortable and inconvenient. The exposed cavity may feel sensitive, rough, or sharp. You might be tempted to fix it yourself — but it is important to know what is safe and what is not.
Temporary dental cement — available from most pharmacies — is the safest option for fixing lost filling at home temporarily. Clean the cavity gently with warm water, dry the area, and press the temporary cement into the hole following the product instructions. This provides a protective barrier until your dental appointment.
Never use superglue, household adhesives, or chewing gum to fill a cavity. These materials are not designed for oral use, can trap bacteria inside the tooth, and may cause further damage that complicates professional repair.
A lost filling leaves the inner tooth structure vulnerable to bacteria and temperature sensitivity. While temporary cement helps in the short term, professional replacement is important to prevent decay from progressing.
Visit our lost filling and crown replacement page for details on same-day treatment. Our article on why you should not use superglue for a lost filling explains the risks in more detail.
What to Do for a Knocked Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. Acting quickly — within 30 to 60 minutes — gives the best chance of saving the tooth. Here is exactly what to do for a knocked out tooth:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part you normally see). Never touch the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly under cold running water for no more than 10 seconds. Do not scrub, scrape, or dry it.
- Try to replant it. If you can, gently push the tooth back into the socket. Bite down on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you cannot replant it, place the tooth in a small container of cold milk. Milk preserves the root cells far better than water.
- Seek urgent dental care immediately. The sooner you are seen, the higher the chance of successful reimplantation.
Do not store the tooth in water, wrap it in tissue, or let it dry out. These reduce the chances of saving it.
For full guidance on dental trauma, visit our dental trauma emergency page. Our dental injury treatment service covers reimplantation and stabilisation.
Signs of Dental Abscess Over the Weekend
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by bacterial infection. If one develops over the weekend, recognising the signs of dental abscess early helps you decide whether to manage at home or seek urgent care.
Common signs include:
- Intense, throbbing pain that may radiate to the ear, jaw, or neck
- Swelling in the face or cheek — particularly if it is spreading
- A raised temperature or feeling generally unwell
- A bad taste in the mouth from draining pus
- Red, swollen gum tissue near the affected tooth
- Pain that worsens when lying down
An abscess will not resolve on its own. While painkillers and salt water rinses can ease discomfort temporarily, the infection needs professional drainage and treatment. If swelling is increasing or you develop a fever, do not wait until Monday.
Our dental abscess treatment service provides same-day care. Read more about the risks in our article on the dangers of ignoring a dental abscess. If antibiotics have been prescribed, our guide on antibiotics for tooth infection explains what to expect.
When to Search "Emergency Dentist Near Me"
Managing symptoms at home is fine for mild issues. But certain signs mean you should stop searching for home remedies and start looking for an emergency dentist near me instead.
Seek professional emergency dental care if:
- Pain is escalating despite taking painkillers at the recommended dose
- Swelling is spreading across your face, jaw, or neck
- You have difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth fully
- There is persistent bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- A tooth has been knocked out or badly displaced by trauma
- You develop a high temperature alongside dental symptoms
Emergency dental treatment in the UK is available outside standard hours through dedicated clinics. While a true 24 hour emergency dental clinic with round-the-clock on-site care is uncommon, many practices offer extended evening and full weekend hours that cover most urgent situations.
Our walk-in dentist service accepts patients without prior booking. For a comparison of your options, read our guide on emergency dentist versus NHS 111 in London. Our private emergency dentist page explains same-day access and what to expect.
Booking Saturday Dentist Appointments in London
Securing Saturday dentist appointments does not have to be stressful. A few practical steps help you get seen as quickly as possible.
Book early. Weekend slots fill faster than weekday ones. If your symptoms begin on Friday evening, book online straight away rather than waiting until Saturday morning. Many clinics allow 24-hour online booking.
Provide clear information. When booking, briefly describe your symptoms — pain level, location, any swelling or trauma. This helps the clinic prioritise appropriately and prepare for your visit.
Know what to expect. A weekend emergency appointment typically includes an examination, any necessary X-rays, and immediate treatment to address pain, infection, or damage. Follow-up work — such as a permanent crown — may be scheduled for a weekday visit.
Understand the costs. Weekend appointments at private clinics may carry a slightly higher fee than standard weekday visits. Transparent pricing means you will know the cost before treatment begins.
Book your weekend appointment online for the fastest response. For fee information, visit our pricing page. Our detailed breakdown of emergency dentist costs in London explains what influences pricing.
Preventing Future Weekend Dental Emergencies
Many weekend dental emergencies are preventable. A few proactive habits significantly reduce the chance of spending your Saturday in a dental chair.
- Attend routine check-ups. Regular dental examinations catch small problems — tiny cracks, early decay, failing fillings — before they turn into painful emergencies. Prevention is always simpler and more affordable than urgent repair.
- Address problems early. A tooth that is occasionally sensitive, a filling that feels rough, or a gum that bleeds when brushing — these are early signals. Treating them promptly during a weekday appointment prevents them from becoming a weekend crisis.
- Manage wisdom tooth symptoms proactively. Wisdom teeth are a frequent source of weekend emergencies. If yours have been causing intermittent pain or swelling, arrange an assessment rather than waiting for an acute flare-up.
- Wear a mouthguard for sports. Weekend sporting activities account for a significant number of dental trauma cases. A custom-fitted mouthguard provides reliable protection.
- Use a night guard if you grind. Bruxism weakens teeth over time. A professionally made night guard distributes biting forces and prevents stress fractures.
If wisdom tooth discomfort is already bothering you, our wisdom tooth pain relief service can help before it becomes urgent. For wisdom tooth infections specifically, read our guide on pericoronitis and wisdom tooth infection. Our complete guide to dental emergencies in London is a useful reference to bookmark for future situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to stop toothache at the weekend?
Take ibuprofen or paracetamol as directed to manage pain. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Rinse gently with warm salt water. Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary food and drinks that may aggravate the tooth.
These steps provide temporary emergency tooth pain relief. If the pain does not ease or worsens over several hours, book a weekend emergency dental appointment rather than waiting until Monday.
When should I see a weekend dentist?
You should see a weekend dentist if you have severe pain that does not respond to painkillers, facial swelling that is spreading, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, signs of infection such as fever and pus, or persistent bleeding from the mouth.
Mild sensitivity or a small painless chip can usually wait for a routine weekday appointment. If you are unsure, calling the clinic for advice is always a sensible step.
What counts as emergency dental care?
Emergency dental care covers any situation where dental pain, infection, trauma, or damage requires prompt professional attention. This includes severe toothache, dental abscesses with swelling, broken or knocked-out teeth, lost crowns or fillings causing pain, and uncontrolled oral bleeding.
The key distinction is whether waiting could lead to a worse outcome. If delaying treatment risks losing a tooth, allowing infection to spread, or leaving you in unmanageable pain, it qualifies as an emergency.
Can I wait until Monday for tooth pain?
Mild, intermittent tooth pain that responds to over-the-counter painkillers can often wait until Monday for a routine appointment. However, you should not wait if the pain is severe and constant, if there is visible swelling, if you have a fever, or if the pain is worsening despite medication.
Waiting too long with an active infection or a badly damaged tooth can make the eventual treatment more complex. When in doubt, a brief call to an emergency dental clinic can help you decide.
What to do for a knocked out tooth?
Pick up the tooth by the crown only — never touch the root. Rinse briefly under cold water if dirty, but do not scrub. Try to push it gently back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place. If you cannot replant it, store it in cold milk.
Time is critical. The best outcomes occur when the tooth is reimplanted within 30 to 60 minutes. Seek emergency dental care immediately — do not wait until your next routine appointment.
Is there a Sunday emergency dentist near me?
Yes. Several emergency dental clinics in London offer Sunday appointments for urgent cases. Availability varies, so booking online or calling first thing on Sunday morning is recommended. Emergency Dentist London provides weekend appointments including Sundays for patients experiencing dental pain, swelling, trauma, or infection.
If you cannot find a Sunday emergency dentist, NHS 111 can also direct you to the nearest available urgent dental service in your area.
⚠️ Important safety notice: If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing due to facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or a suspected jaw fracture, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. These are medical emergencies that require immediate hospital care.
Not sure if it's an emergency? Call NHS 111 for free urgent care advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you decide whether you need emergency treatment, an urgent dental appointment, or can safely wait for a routine visit.