Use emergency for
- Swelling in the face, gum or jaw
- A fall, accident, sports injury or trauma
- A tooth that is broken, knocked loose or knocked out
- Severe pain, fever, bleeding, or pain that is spreading
Gum health
Bleeding gums, gum recession, bad breath, or concerns about gum disease.
Are my gums healthy?
Use this category when the concern feels closest to:
- Bleeding gums
- Recession
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
Specific guides
Gum problems
Gum problems such as bleeding, recession, swelling, bad breath or loose teeth can be signs of inflammation, gum disease or local irritation.
Read guideBleeding gums
Bleeding gums can be caused by plaque, gingivitis, gum disease, brushing changes, medical factors or inflammation and should not be ignored if persistent.
Read guideGum recession
Gum recession can expose tooth roots, create sensitivity and affect gum stability, with causes including brushing trauma, gum disease and bite pressure.
Read guideBad breath
Bad breath can be linked with plaque, gum inflammation, tongue coating, dry mouth, decay, infection or medical factors.
Read guideUrgent Or Normal
Choose urgent care only when the problem may need urgent review.
If symptoms are stable or the concern is planned, use a normal appointment. If there is swelling, trauma, severe pain, bleeding, or a broken tooth that cannot wait, use the emergency dental page instead.
Use normal booking for
- Check-ups, cleaning and preventive care
- Cosmetic, implant or restorative conversations
- Second opinions and treatment planning
- Symptoms that are not rapidly worsening
- Choose normal booking if the concern is stable or planned.
- Use the emergency dental page if there is swelling, trauma, severe pain, bleeding or a broken tooth that cannot wait.
- At the appointment, the dentist checks the likely causes and explains the options.
- Treatment, monitoring or doing nothing for now can be discussed depending on the findings.