A sudden toothache, a swollen face, a broken tooth or a knocked-out tooth can be frightening. This page tells you what to do straight away and when a hospital is the right place to go.
At a glance
- Call us for
- Severe or lasting toothache, swelling, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown
- We are open
- Every day, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Go to hospital or call 112
- Swelling of the face or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or a serious injury to the face or jaw
When to get urgent help
Go to the nearest hospital straight away (or call 112) if you have swelling of the face, eye or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, a suspected broken jaw, or a head injury with confusion or loss of consciousness. Do not wait for a dental appointment.
When to call us the same day
Call us during opening hours if you have:
- Toothache that lasts more than a day or two, or that painkillers do not control
- Pain when you bite or chew, or sensitivity that does not settle
- A swollen gum or cheek, a pimple-like bump on the gum, or a bad taste
- A broken, chipped or cracked tooth
- A lost filling or crown
- A knocked-out tooth
- Bleeding after a tooth has been taken out
Tell us what has happened, when it started, whether there is swelling or fever, and what medicines you take, so the team can tell you what to do next.
Toothache: what you can do in the meantime
- Take pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the pack instructions and only if it is safe for you.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water. Use about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Adults only.
- Eat soft food and try not to chew on the sore tooth.
- Avoid very hot, very cold and sweet food and drink, and do not smoke.
- Keep brushing your other teeth, and be gentle around the sore one.
These steps only ease the pain for a while. They do not treat the cause, so you still need to see a dentist.
Signs of an abscess
- A painful, swollen area on the gum
- A pimple-like bump that may leak pus
- A bad taste or bad breath
- Swelling of the cheek or jaw
- Fever or feeling unwell
A tooth abscess is an infection. It needs treatment from a dentist and can spread if it is left. Swelling that spreads to the face, eye or neck, or that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, is an emergency.
A knocked-out tooth
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown, the white part you chew with. Do not touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it very briefly in milk or clean water. Do not scrub it or wipe it.
- If you can, gently push it back into its socket and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it. If you cannot, keep it in milk, or in your cheek if the person is old enough not to swallow it.
- See a dentist straight away. The sooner the tooth is put back, the better the chance of saving it.
- Do not try to put a baby tooth back in.
A broken or chipped tooth, or a lost filling or crown
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Keep any large piece of tooth, and a lost crown, and bring them with you.
- A cold pack on the cheek can ease swelling.
- Try not to chew on that side. A sharp edge can be covered temporarily with sugar-free chewing gum or a dental wax from a pharmacy until you are seen.
Bleeding after an extraction or an injury to the mouth
Press firmly on a clean gauze pad or cloth for about 20 minutes without checking it. If the bleeding has not stopped, go to a dentist or hospital. A cut to the tongue, lip or cheek that will not stop bleeding, or a deep cut, also needs medical attention.
Common questions
Can you see me the same day?
Call us during opening hours, tell us what is wrong, and the team will tell you what to do and when we can see you.
What if it is outside your opening hours?
If it is an emergency, such as swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or bleeding you cannot stop, go to the nearest hospital or call 112. For other problems, use the steps above and call us when we open.
Should I put a painkiller tablet on the gum?
No. Swallow painkillers as the pack says. Putting a tablet on the gum can burn it.
Will I need antibiotics?
Not always. Some infections need them, but often the tooth itself has to be treated. Your dentist will decide.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the problem. Dr. Anjali will explain the cost before starting any treatment.
Dental emergencies and toothache at Gangtok Dental Clinic
Dr. Anjali Gupta sees patients at Gangtok Dental Clinic and has more than 6 years of experience in dentistry. She will find the cause of the pain first and tell you what can be done about it. She will explain what she finds and go through your options and the cost with you, and nothing is started until you are ready to go ahead.
We are open every day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Call or message us on WhatsApp at +91 82106 99271 to book an appointment. Our address is on the contact page.
This page gives general information about the treatment. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice, and what you need depends on an examination by your dentist. Please read our Medical Disclaimer.