Emergency Dentist

Dental emergencies don't follow business hours. Whether it's sudden severe pain, a knocked-out tooth, or a swelling that won't go down, knowing what to do — and where to go — can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not every dental issue requires immediate care, but the following situations warrant urgent attention:

• Knocked-out tooth — the best chance of saving it is within 30-60 minutes
• Severe, uncontrollable toothache that doesn't respond to over-the-counter painkillers
• Facial swelling from an abscess, especially if accompanied by fever or difficulty swallowing
• Broken or fractured tooth with sharp edges, exposed nerve, or significant pain
• Uncontrolled bleeding following an extraction or injury
• Loose or displaced tooth after trauma
• Lost crown or filling causing pain or exposing the tooth

Issues like a mildly chipped tooth, minor sensitivity, or a filling that fell out without pain can usually wait for a regular appointment.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Step 1: Assess the Urgency

If you're experiencing difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe facial swelling spreading to the throat or eyes, go to the nearest hospital emergency room (legevakt) or call 113. These can be life-threatening situations.

Step 2: Provide First Aid

• Pain: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed. Avoid aspirin directly on gums, as it can cause chemical burns.
• Knocked-out tooth: Handle by the crown, rinse gently with milk, attempt to reinsert, or store in milk. Time is critical.
• Broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
• Bleeding: Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp tea bag for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Contact a Dentist

During office hours — call your regular dentist. Most clinics reserve slots for emergency cases and can often see you the same day.

After hours, weekends, and holidays — Norway's major cities have municipal emergency dental clinics (tannlegevakten):

• Oslo: Oslo tannlegevakt, Schweigaards gate (evenings and weekends)
• Bergen: Bergen tannlegevakt at Solheimsgaten
• Trondheim: Tannlegevakta at St. Olavs Hospital area
• Stavanger, Tromsø, and other cities also have emergency dental services — check your municipality's website

Call before visiting so the clinic can assess your situation and advise on next steps.

Benefits of Seeking Prompt Care

• Saves teeth — quick treatment after trauma dramatically increases the chance of saving a knocked-out or damaged tooth
• Prevents infection from spreading — abscesses treated early are resolved more easily and safely
• Reduces pain — emergency treatment addresses the source of pain, not just the symptoms
• Avoids complications — delaying care can turn a simple fix into a complex and costly procedure

Price Guide

Emergency dental treatment in Norway is not standardised, and prices vary by clinic, time of day, and the treatment required:

• Emergency consultation: 800–2,000 NOK
• Emergency extraction: 1,500–4,000 NOK
• Temporary filling or repair: 500–1,500 NOK

After-hours and weekend visits often carry a surcharge of 200–500 NOK on top of normal fees.

HELFO support: Emergency dental care for children and young adults under 20 is covered through the public dental service. Adults may qualify for HELFO reimbursement if the emergency relates to an accident, assault, or certain medical conditions. Your municipality's public dental service also provides emergency coverage for priority groups including the elderly in care, people with disabilities, and others defined by the Dental Health Services Act (tannhelsetjenesteloven).

When to Seek Emergency Dental Care

Don't wait and hope it gets better on its own. Seek emergency dental care if you have:

• Severe pain that disrupts sleep or daily activities
• Swelling in your face, jaw, or neck
• A tooth that's been knocked out, loosened, or broken by trauma
• Bleeding that won't stop after 20 minutes of pressure
• Signs of infection: fever, bad taste in mouth, swollen gums with pus

Use the search above to find emergency dental clinics and dentists available near you — and save the number of your local tannlegevakt in your phone before you need it.