Toothache tonight?

An abscess. Needs draining and antibiotics, sometimes the same day.

Signs: swollen cheek or gum, bad taste, fever.

Do this: Call now. If swelling reaches the eye or throat, or you cannot swallow, go to A&E.

Examination, from £45.

Can often be saved if replanted within an hour.

Signs: tooth out after a knock.

Do this: Hold it by the crown, rinse in milk, push it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Come straight in.

Examination, from £45.

Usually decay reaching the nerve, or a cracked tooth. Painkillers help for a night, not a week.

Signs: throbbing pain, worse with hot or sweet, keeps you awake.

Do this: Ibuprofen and paracetamol together if you can take both. Call in the morning; we keep same-day slots.

White fillings, from £120.

Sharp edge, sometimes sensitive. Rarely urgent unless the nerve is exposed.

Signs: rough edge on the tongue, sensitive to cold.

Do this: Keep the piece if you have it. Sugar-free gum over a sharp edge. Call for a slot this week.

White fillings, from £120.

The tooth is exposed and can be sensitive. The crown can often be re-cemented.

Signs: hole you can feel, crown in your hand.

Do this: Keep the crown clean and bring it. Temporary cement from the chemist for a day or two.

White fillings, from £120.

Usually the gum over a partly-through tooth. Settles with cleaning; sometimes needs removal.

Signs: pain at the back, swollen gum flap, hard to open.

Do this: Warm salt-water rinses. Call if swelling spreads or you cannot open your mouth.

Examination, from £45.

Gum disease in most cases. Not an emergency, but not normal either.

Signs: blood when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth later.

Do this: Keep brushing; do not stop. Book a hygiene visit.

Hygiene visit, from £70.