If a filling or crown has come out, contact a dentist for an urgent appointment. A pharmacist can advise you in the meantime. If an adult tooth has been knocked out, act straight away: the NHS says you should be offered emergency dental care within 1 hour, or as soon as possible.
Get urgent help if...
- You have a serious injury to your face or jaw. Go to A&E or call 999.
- You have heavy bleeding from your mouth that won't stop. Go to A&E or call 999.
- An injury to your head or face has made you lose consciousness, vomit or have double vision. Go to A&E or call 999.
- You've knocked out a tooth, even if you can't find it. Ask for an emergency dental appointment, or call NHS 111 if you can't reach a dentist.
- You have a broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneer. Ask a dentist for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111.
- You have severe pain that is affecting your sleep or daily activities and isn't helped by paracetamol or ibuprofen. Ask a dentist for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111.
If an adult tooth has been knocked out
The NHS gives these steps for a knocked-out adult tooth:
- Hold the tooth by the white part that sticks out of the gum (the crown). Don't touch the root.
- If it's dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or saliva.
- Try to put it back into the socket, then bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can't put it back, keep it in milk or saliva. You can spit into a container for this.
- Go to a dentist as soon as possible.
Baby teeth
Don't put a baby tooth back in. The NHS says this could damage the tooth growing underneath. If you're unsure what to do, call your dentist or NHS 111.
If a filling or crown has come out
The NHS lists a broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneer as a reason to ask for an urgent dental appointment or get advice from NHS 111. A pharmacist can also give advice about a lost filling or crown.
A loose filling is one of the common causes of toothache the NHS lists. If the tooth hurts while you wait, the NHS toothache advice is to:
- Take ibuprofen or paracetamol, without going over the recommended dose.
- Eat soft foods and try not to chew on that tooth.
- Use a soft toothbrush.
- Avoid food and drink that is sugary, very hot or very cold.
How to get seen quickly
Call your dentist first. If they're closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do.
If you don't have a dentist, or can't get an emergency appointment, call NHS 111. You can also look for practices offering urgent appointments on our emergency dentist pages. Don't go to your GP, as they can't give dental treatment.
What a dentist may do
For a knocked-out tooth
The NHS says the dentist will check the tooth is in the right position, often with an X-ray. If you brought the tooth in milk or saliva, they may clean it and put it back.
They may fix it to the teeth next to it to hold it steady, which is called splinting. You may need root canal treatment later.
If the tooth can't be saved, the NHS lists dentures, bridges and dental implants as ways to replace it.
For a lost filling or crown
The NHS urgent treatment charge covers a temporary filling and re-fixing a crown or bridge. The dentist can then plan a permanent repair, such as a new filling or a new crown.
NHS or private
Urgent dental treatment is available on the NHS. Most adults pay the urgent treatment charge unless they qualify for free treatment, and further work is charged at the relevant band. Our NHS dentist guide explains the bands.
A private dentist may be able to see you sooner if you can't get an NHS appointment. Private fees vary by practice, so ask for the cost first.
Sources: NHS: Knocked-out tooth, NHS: How to find an NHS dentist in an emergency, NHS: Toothache, NHS: Chipped, broken or cracked tooth, NHS: Understanding NHS dental charges.
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried, contact a dentist or NHS 111.