Severe Toothache Treatment LondonSame-Day Emergency Toothache Care
Unbearable tooth pain keeping you awake? Severe toothache rarely improves on its own and may worsen as the underlying cause progresses. Our experienced emergency dentists in London aim to diagnose the source of your pain and provide appropriate treatment — often on the same day.
Emergency exam + assessment
X-rays £20 (£10 members) if clinically needed
Emergency Toothache Assessment
New patient offer (usual £95)
Includes:
- Full examination by a dentist
- X-rays £20 (£10 members) if clinically needed
- Assessment & diagnosis of your pain
- Written treatment plan with costs
Or call: 020 7183 2362
Toothache Treatment at Our London Emergency Dental Clinic
Severe toothache can be debilitating — making it difficult to eat, sleep, or concentrate. If you are experiencing persistent tooth pain that is not eased by over-the-counter painkillers, it is important to seek professional dental care promptly. Delaying treatment may allow the underlying condition to progress, potentially making treatment more complex.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, our emergency dentists in London aim to see toothache patients on the same day wherever possible. We use digital X-rays and thorough clinical examination to help identify the cause of your pain — whether that is deep decay, an infection, a cracked tooth, or another issue — and then discuss appropriate treatment options with you.
We are open 7 days a week, including late evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 8pm, and weekends (Saturday and Sunday 10am–4pm). Our clinic is located at 20 Old Brompton Road, directly next to South Kensington Tube Station, making us easily accessible from across London.
Common Symptoms of Severe Toothache
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we recommend seeking professional dental assessment. Early evaluation may help prevent the condition from worsening.
Sharp, throbbing, or constant pain
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
Pain when biting down or applying pressure
Swelling around the tooth, gums, or jaw
Headache or fever alongside tooth pain
Bad taste in the mouth or persistent bad breath
Understanding Your Tooth Pain: What Does It Mean?
Not all toothaches are the same. The type of pain you experience may give our dentists an indication of the underlying cause before diagnostic imaging is carried out.
Sharp, Shooting Pain (Sensitivity)
ModerateA sharp sensation when eating cold or hot foods that disappears quickly may suggest a cavity, a loose filling, or a cracked tooth. The dental nerve is irritated but may still be treatable with a filling or crown.
Dull, Throbbing, Constant Ache
SeriousPain that lingers long after eating or drinking, starts spontaneously, or worsens when lying down often indicates that the nerve inside the tooth may be significantly damaged. This type of pain may require root canal treatment or extraction.
Pain on Biting or Pressure
UrgentIf a tooth feels "high" or bruised when you tap it, this may indicate that an infection has spread beyond the root tip into the surrounding jawbone, which can lead to an abscess.
Common Causes of Severe Toothache
Understanding the potential cause of your toothache can help you appreciate why professional assessment is important. There are several reasons why a tooth may become severely painful.
Advanced Tooth Decay
Bacteria in the mouth produce acid that can gradually erode the hard enamel of a tooth. Once decay reaches the softer dentine and eventually the pulp (nerve), infection can develop, often causing significant pain.
Dental Abscess
If tooth decay is left untreated, the nerve tissue may become non-vital and a pocket of pus (abscess) can form at the root tip. This creates pressure inside the jawbone that can cause intense, throbbing pain and facial swelling.
Cracked Tooth
A hairline fracture in a tooth may not always be visible to the naked eye. However, each time you bite down, the crack can open slightly and irritate the nerve. Over time, this may worsen and potentially reach the pulp.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth that do not have sufficient room to emerge properly can push against neighbouring teeth or become partially trapped beneath the gum (pericoronitis), potentially causing pain that may radiate to the ear and jaw.
Our Emergency Toothache Treatment Protocol
When you visit our London emergency dental clinic with toothache, our aim is to identify the cause accurately and provide appropriate treatment — not simply prescribe painkillers and send you home.
Diagnostic Imaging
We use low-dose digital X-rays to help identify what may be happening inside the tooth and beneath the gum line, aiding in accurate diagnosis.
Local Anaesthesia
We use modern local anaesthetics to help numb the affected area. For anxious patients, we can apply a topical numbing gel beforehand to help minimise discomfort from the injection.
Targeted Treatment
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include an emergency pulp extirpation (nerve removal) to help relieve pressure, a gentle extraction if the tooth cannot be saved, or a restorative filling to address deep cavities.
Managing Toothache at Home Until Your Appointment
While waiting for your emergency dental appointment, the following steps may help manage your discomfort temporarily. These are not a substitute for professional treatment.
- Take anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen (if suitable for you) — they may be more effective for dental pain than Paracetamol alone.
- Avoid very hot or very cold foods and drinks, which may worsen sensitivity.
- Try sleeping with your head slightly elevated on pillows to help reduce blood pressure in the head.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to help keep the area clean.
- Do not place aspirin directly on the gum — this can cause chemical burns to the soft tissue.
Important: If you experience severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, please call 999 or attend A&E immediately. These may indicate a serious infection that requires urgent medical attention.
Emergency Dental Repairs — Patient Results
Genuine patient results. Individual outcomes may vary. Drag the slider to see the transformation.
Toothache Treatment Costs in London
Transparent pricing for emergency dental care. Prices are indicative — a full treatment plan with costs will be provided after your assessment.
| Treatment | Member Price* | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Assessment (New Patient Offer) | £30 | £95 |
| Dental Examination | £47.50 | £95 |
| Digital X-Ray | £10 | £20 |
| Composite Filling | from £92.50 | from £185 |
| Root Canal (Front Tooth) | from £347.50 | from £695 |
| Root Canal (Molar) | from £447.50 | from £895 |
| Simple Extraction | from £125 | from £250 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Toothache Treatment
Other Emergency Dental Treatments We Offer
Suffering From Toothache? We Can Help
Our emergency dentists are available 7 days a week at our Central London clinic, next to South Kensington Tube Station.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency such as severe uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness, please call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
Registered. Regulated. Trusted.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, we are fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.
