Emergency Dentist in Larkfield, Kent
Dental pain doesn't wait for a convenient moment. Whether you've woken up with toothache, broken a tooth, or developed a swollen face, we're here to help — fast.
Urgent dental care
Same-day emergency dental appointments in Larkfield
At Larkfield Dental Aesthetics, we keep same-day appointments available for dental emergencies so you're never left waiting in pain.
When something goes wrong with your teeth or mouth, getting seen quickly makes a real difference. Pain that's left untreated can worsen rapidly — and what starts as a manageable ache can develop into a serious infection within days. This is why we reserve same-day appointments for patients who need urgent care.
If you're in pain or have a dental emergency, the first step is simple: call us on 01732 521123 as early in the day as possible. Our team will assess the urgency of your situation over the phone and book you in as soon as we can — usually the same day.
Who we see
We see emergency patients who are:
Registered patients at Larkfield Dental Aesthetics
New patients who need urgent care and have not registered elsewhere
Important medical warning
If you are experiencing facial swelling that is affecting your breathing or swallowing, go directly to your nearest A&E department or call 999. This requires immediate medical attention.
Guidance
What counts as a dental emergency?
Not sure whether your situation needs urgent attention? Here's a guide. The following are genuine dental emergencies that you should call us about straight away:
Toothache and dental pain
Severe, persistent toothache — particularly if it's keeping you awake, isn't relieved by over-the-counter painkillers, or is throbbing — is a sign that the nerve of the tooth is involved. This usually means infection or significant decay that needs prompt treatment. Don't wait and hope it passes.
Dental abscess or facial swelling
A dental abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum. Signs include a throbbing pain that may spread to your jaw, ear, or neck; swelling of the face or jaw; a high temperature; and a bitter taste in your mouth. Abscesses don't resolve on their own — they require treatment, and in some cases antibiotics. If swelling is significant or spreading, or if you develop difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to A&E immediately.
Broken or cracked tooth
A broken or cracked tooth can be painful, sharp, and — depending on where the break is — at risk of further damage. Call us so we can assess it. We'll let you know whether it needs to be seen urgently or can wait for a routine appointment.
Knocked-out tooth
If an adult tooth has been completely knocked out, act fast — time is critical. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it very briefly with milk or clean water — do not scrub it. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place — or keep it in a glass of milk or held inside the cheek. Call us immediately and come straight in. Do not attempt to reimplant a baby tooth — call us for advice instead.
Lost filling or crown
A lost filling or crown isn't always painful, but the exposed tooth is vulnerable to further damage, decay, and sensitivity. If your filling or crown has come out, call us — we'll advise whether you need to be seen urgently or can wait a day or two. In the meantime, over-the-counter dental cement (available from pharmacies) can be used as a temporary measure.
Broken or lost denture
If your denture has broken or become unwearable, we understand how disruptive this can be to daily life. Call us and we'll do our best to get you seen quickly and discuss your options for repair or replacement.
Soft tissue injuries
Injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth — cuts to the lip, tongue, cheek, or gum — can bleed heavily but often look worse than they are. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to slow the bleeding. If bleeding doesn't slow after 10–15 minutes, or if the cut is deep or gaping, go to A&E.
How we help
Pain management — what we can do to help
When you come in for an emergency appointment, our first priority is to relieve your pain and stabilise the situation. The treatment we carry out will depend entirely on what's causing the problem.
Antibiotics for infection
If you have a dental abscess or signs of spreading infection, we may prescribe a course of antibiotics to bring the infection under control. Antibiotics treat the infection, but they don't treat the underlying cause. Once the infection is under control, you'll need further treatment — such as root canal treatment or extraction — to address the source of the problem. We only prescribe antibiotics when there is a clear clinical indication for them.
Temporary dressing or cleaning
For a tooth that is acutely painful — particularly one where the nerve is affected — we may place a temporary sedative dressing. This is a medicated filling material that calms the nerve and provides significant pain relief. If there is decay or broken material irritating the surrounding tissue, we'll clean the area, remove loose or sharp debris, and smooth any rough edges.
Emergency extraction
If a tooth is beyond saving and is causing significant pain or infection, removing it quickly may be the right course of action. Emergency extractions are carried out under local anaesthetic — you won't feel pain during the procedure. We'll discuss replacement options with you once you're out of the acute phase.
Re-cementing a crown or bridge
If a crown or bridge has come off and the underlying tooth is not damaged, we can often re-cement it at an emergency appointment. Bring the crown or bridge with you if you still have it.
Pain relief advice
While you're waiting to be seen, the most effective over-the-counter pain relief for dental pain is ibuprofen (if you can take it) combined with paracetamol — taken alternately rather than together. Always follow the dosage instructions. Clove oil, available from pharmacies, can also provide temporary topical relief. Avoid hot drinks and very cold foods on a painful tooth, and try to chew on the opposite side. Keeping your head elevated can reduce the throbbing sensation.
Out of hours
Outside of our opening hours
If you have a dental emergency outside of our normal opening hours, the following options are available:
Call 111
NHS 111 can provide urgent dental advice and direct you to an out-of-hours emergency dental service in Kent.
NHS 111 online
Visit 111.nhs.uk to complete an online assessment and receive advice on next steps.
A&E
Go directly to your nearest accident and emergency department if you have significant facial swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or trauma to the jaw.
We'll always do our best to accommodate genuine emergencies on the same day during our opening hours. If you're unsure whether your situation is urgent, call us and we'll advise you.
Next steps
What happens after your emergency appointment?
An emergency appointment is about getting you out of pain and stabilising the situation — it's the first step, not the last. Most emergency treatments are temporary measures that address the immediate problem while a longer-term solution is planned.
Before you leave, we'll explain exactly what we've done and why, what to expect in the next few hours and days, any medication you've been prescribed and how to take it, and what further treatment is recommended and when.
We'll then book you in for a follow-up appointment to complete the treatment — whether that's a root canal, a permanent filling, a crown, or another procedure — at a time that suits you. We'll also take the opportunity to discuss what caused the problem and how to reduce the risk of it happening again.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I have a toothache? +
Call us as soon as possible on 01732 521123 — we keep same-day appointments for dental emergencies. In the meantime, take over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen and paracetamol alternated every four hours if you can take both), avoid very hot or cold food on the affected tooth, and try to rest with your head elevated. Do not ignore toothache — dental infections can spread quickly and become serious.
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out? +
Act fast. Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it's dirty, rinse briefly with milk or clean water — do not scrub. Try to reinsert it into the socket gently, or keep it in milk or held inside your cheek. Call us immediately on 01732 521123 and come straight in. The sooner a knocked-out tooth is reimplanted, the better the chance of saving it.
Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment at Larkfield Dental Aesthetics? +
Yes. We reserve same-day appointments for genuine dental emergencies. Call us on 01732 521123 as early in the day as possible and explain your symptoms. Our team will assess the urgency and book you in as quickly as we can.
Are emergency dental appointments available for new patients? +
Yes, we will always try to help new patients in genuine pain. Call us on 01732 521123 and we'll do everything we can to see you. If you are not already registered with us, we'll take your details when you call.
I have a swollen face — is this a dental emergency? +
Yes, facial swelling from a dental infection is a genuine emergency and should be treated urgently. Call us straight away on 01732 521123. If the swelling is affecting your ability to swallow or breathe, or spreading rapidly, go directly to A&E or call 999 — this is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospital treatment.
My filling has come out — do I need to be seen urgently? +
It depends on how you're feeling. If you're in pain, the tooth is very sensitive, or you can see deep decay in the hole, call us and we'll get you in quickly. If the tooth isn't painful, you can use over-the-counter dental cement as a temporary measure and contact us to arrange an appointment within a few days. Don't leave it too long — an unprotected tooth is vulnerable to further damage.
What can I take for dental pain while I wait to be seen? +
Ibuprofen (400mg) and paracetamol (1000mg) taken alternately every four hours are the most effective over-the-counter combination for dental pain — take them staggered rather than together. Always follow the dosage instructions and check they are safe for you to take. Clove oil applied directly to the tooth or gum can also provide temporary topical relief. Avoid very hot or cold food and drink on the affected tooth.
What happens if I need a dental emergency outside of your opening hours? +
Call NHS 111 — they provide urgent dental advice 24 hours a day and can direct you to an out-of-hours emergency dental service in Kent. For serious emergencies involving facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing, go to A&E or call 999.
Dental emergency?
In pain? Don't wait
Call us now on 01732 521123 — we keep same-day appointments available for dental emergencies.
Outside opening hours? Call 111 for urgent NHS dental advice.