Brits suffering from dental problems requiring urgent attention are being urged to check their eligibility for NHS assistance. Those relying on NHS dental services may qualify for an urgent appointment, depending on their condition.

The NHS routinely offers emergency or urgent care appointments, and has recently emphasised that urgent slots remain available for patients requiring them. Various issues, including serious dental injuries or mouth swelling, could warrant an emergency consultation.

Anyone unsure whether their situation requires urgent or emergency dental care can ring NHS 111 for guidance. Depending on symptoms, patients should receive urgent dental treatment within 24 hours, seven days, or sometimes within just one hour.

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On X, NHS UK posted: "Think you need urgent dental care? Urgent dental appointments are now available. Find out how to get the help you need."

According to NHS guidance, you may require an urgent appointment if you experience any of the following:

• You have severe tooth or mouth pain that's affecting your sleep or daily activities, and is not helped by painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen


• You have swelling, a lump or patch inside your mouth that's getting bigger or not going away – it may or may not be painful


• You have swelling, a lump or patch inside your mouth that's getting bigger or not going away – it may or may not be painful


• You have severe tooth or mouth pain that's affecting your sleep or daily activities, and is not helped by painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen


• You have a broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneer


• You have tooth or mouth pain that is helped by taking painkillers, but it's not going away


• You have a broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneeryou have a knocked-out tooth or other injury to your teeth


• You have tooth or mouth pain that is helped by taking painkillers, but it's not going away


• You've recently had a tooth removed and you're bleeding or have severe pain


• You have a knocked-out tooth or other injury to your teeth


• You've recently had a tooth removed and you're bleeding or have severe pain

While these things can qualify you for an urgent appointment, there may be some situations where your dental situation is so severe that you will need to either call 999 or go to A&E. You may need to do this if:

• You experience an injury to the head or face that's caused you to lose consciousness, vomit, or have double vision


• You experience heacy bleeding from your mouth that won't stop


• You've suffered serious injuries to the jaw or face


• You have severe swelling of the mouth, lip, neck, or throat and have difficulty breathing or opening eyes

Further guidance on urgent dental appointments, as well as how to see if you qualify, can be found here.