What to do in a dental emergency in Barcelona
In a dental emergency in Barcelona, call a dentist first: at our clinic in Les Corts we keep slots free every day (+34 682 54 48 99). If an adult tooth is knocked out, keep it in milk and come within an hour. If swelling makes breathing or swallowing difficult, or there's a serious facial injury, call 112.
What counts as a dental emergency
Not every mouth problem is an emergency, but some situations do need prompt attention, either because time affects the outcome or because they can get worse. Generally, these are urgent:
- An adult tooth knocked out completely
- A broken tooth with severe pain, or with a visible pink or red spot
- Swelling in the face or gum, especially with a fever
- Severe toothache that painkillers don't touch, or that keeps you awake
- Bleeding that won't stop after an extraction
- Any knock to a child's mouth, even if it looks minor
Quick guide: what to do in each case
This table summarises the first steps. It doesn't replace a professional assessment, but it helps you do the right thing in the first few minutes.
| Situation | What to do now | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Adult tooth knocked out | Hold it by the crown, rinse for a few seconds in milk or saline, put it back if possible or keep it in milk | Dentist within 60 minutes |
| Baby tooth knocked out | Don't put it back. Control bleeding with gauze or a clean cloth | Dentist the same day |
| Broken tooth | Keep the fragment in milk or water, cold pack on the face | Dentist as soon as possible |
| Abscess without fever | Cold pack, painkiller as directed on the leaflet, no heat | Dentist within 24 hours |
| Swelling with fever, spreading to the eye or neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing | Don't wait | Hospital A&E or 112 |
| Serious blow to the face, loss of consciousness or heavy bleeding | Don't wait | Hospital A&E or 112 |
| Crown or filling fallen out | Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side | Dentist within a few days |
Knocked-out tooth: the first 60 minutes matter
When an adult tooth is knocked out, the cells that attach it to the bone start to die if they dry out. That's why international dental trauma guidelines stress putting it back as soon as possible or, if that isn't possible, keeping it in a suitable moist medium.
Always pick it up by the crown (the white part you see in the mouth), never by the root. If it's dirty, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or saline, without scrubbing or using soap. If the person is conscious and cooperative, try to push it back into its socket and have them bite on gauze or a clean handkerchief. If you can't, keep it in milk or saline or, for an adult, inside the mouth between the cheek and teeth. Don't wrap it in tissue or let it dry out.
Baby teeth should not be put back, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Even so, the child should be seen by a dentist the same day.
Severe pain and swelling: what to do and what to avoid
Severe pain is usually caused by inflammation or infection of the tooth's nerve, and swelling by an infection that is spreading (a dental abscess). While you're getting an appointment, hold a cold pack to the outside of your face on and off, and take a painkiller at the dose on the leaflet or advised by your doctor.
Avoid heat on the area, never place aspirin or other tablets on your gum (they can burn it), and don't take leftover antibiotics without a prescription: they can mask the problem and contribute to resistance. If antibiotics are needed, a professional will prescribe them, and the cause in the tooth almost always needs treating too.
Where to go in Barcelona
During opening hours, the quickest option is to call a dentist. At our clinic in Les Corts we keep slots free every day for emergencies: call +34 682 54 48 99 and we'll give you the first available appointment. We're open Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 13:30 and 15:30 to 19:30, and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 to 13:30. You can also book an emergency visit online.
If you're registered with the Catalan public health system, your CAP (local health centre) mainly handles acute problems and extractions for adults. Out of hours, you can call 061 (Salut Respon) for health advice in Catalonia. If breathing is at risk, an infection is spreading fast or there's a serious facial injury, go to a hospital A&E, such as Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, or call 112, the European emergency number.
Preventing many emergencies
Many emergencies can be avoided. Regular check-ups catch deep decay before it reaches the nerve, and a custom mouthguard reduces the risk of fractures in contact sports. If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard protects your back teeth and fillings.
And if you're visiting Barcelona, save the number of a dentist near where you're staying, and keep your travel insurance details handy. A little planning saves a lot of stress.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to put a knocked-out tooth back?
Ideally within the first few minutes or, if that isn't possible, keep it in milk and get to a dentist within an hour. The longer it stays dry, the worse the outlook.
Can I go to hospital A&E with toothache?
You can, but hospitals usually treat the pain and infection, not the tooth. You'll need a dentist to fix the cause. Go to hospital if there's significant swelling, a high fever or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What should I do if I break a tooth at the weekend?
Keep the fragment in milk or water, avoid chewing on that side and take a painkiller if needed. We're open on Saturday mornings; call us on +34 682 54 48 99.
Will a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. Even if the swelling goes down, the infection usually remains in the tooth or gum and can come back. The cause needs treating, for example with root canal treatment or an extraction.
