Emergency Dentist in Largs: What To Do If You Have Toothache or a Knocked-Out Tooth

A dental emergency is stressful — especially when it happens on a weekend or late at night. At Largs Dental Suite we keep same-day emergency slots open for exactly these moments. This quick guide covers the most common dental emergencies we see and what you should do in the first few minutes.

Severe toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and use a soft toothbrush around the area — NHS guidance advises against flossing around a sore tooth, as it can aggravate it. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed on the packet — never place a painkiller directly on the gum, as it can burn the tissue. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can help with swelling. If pain lasts more than a couple of days, is severe, or comes with facial swelling or fever, call us straight away.

Knocked-out adult tooth

Time matters — the sooner a tooth is put back, the better its chances, ideally within 30 minutes, and success becomes less likely after about an hour. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline — do not scrub it. If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite down on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a cup of milk (not water) and get to us as fast as possible.

Chipped or broken tooth

Save any fragments in milk or saline if you can find them. Rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Even if the chip is small and painless, book an appointment — an untreated crack can worsen quickly and lead to infection.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the crown safe if you still have it — often we can re-cement it. Avoid chewing on that side and stick to soft foods. Sugar-free gum pressed lightly into a lost filling cavity can protect it temporarily until you're seen.

Abscess or facial swelling

A dental abscess is a serious infection and should never be ignored. Signs include a persistent throbbing pain, a bad taste in the mouth, swelling of the face or jaw, and sometimes fever. Contact us the same day. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, go straight to A&E.

How to reach us in an emergency

During opening hours, call us on 01475 673415 — we'll always try to see genuine emergencies the same day. Out of hours, try your own dentist's answerphone first for instructions; if you have no dentist or can't get through, NHS 24 (dial 111) can advise and direct you to the local emergency dental service.

You can find more information on our Emergency Dentist page, or get in touch to register as a patient before an emergency happens — it makes everything faster if you ever need us urgently.