Emergency Dentist in Lagos: What to Do When Tooth Pain Hits at Night

Emergency Dental Care
📅 June 11, 2026
⏱ 7 min read
By Dovers Dental Clinic, Lekki

It’s 10 pm on a Thursday in Lagos. A tooth cracks on a stubborn piece of meat. Sudden, intense pain. Do you wait until Monday? Drive to a hospital? Call a friend? This guide tells you exactly what to do — and who to call — when a dental emergency strikes in Lagos.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not every toothache is an emergency. But some dental situations require same-day or urgent care to prevent permanent damage, severe infection, or dangerous spread to other structures in your head and neck.

Seek emergency dental care in Lagos immediately if you experience any of the following:

• A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth — time is critical; reimplantation is only possible within 30–60 minutes
• Severe, unrelenting toothache not controlled by standard pain relief
• Swelling of the jaw, cheek, or neck — possible sign of abscess or spreading infection
• Broken tooth with sharp edges cutting your tongue or cheek
• Bleeding that won’t stop after an extraction or trauma
• Lost crown or filling with significant pain or sensitivity
• Dental abscess — visible swelling, pus, fever, or foul taste in the mouth

Dental Abscess: Don’t WaitA dental abscess is a bacterial infection that can spread from the tooth to surrounding bone and soft tissue. In severe cases, it spreads to the throat (Ludwig’s angina) and can obstruct the airway — a life-threatening emergency. Facial swelling with fever must be evaluated urgently.

What to Do If a Tooth Is Knocked Out

A knocked-out adult tooth can potentially be re-implanted if you act fast. Here’s exactly what to do:

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part) — never touch the root
2. Rinse gently with clean water if dirty — do not scrub or soap
3. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and bite gently to hold it
4. If reimplantation isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk or between your cheek and gum to keep it moist
5. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes — this dramatically improves reimplantation success

Emergency Dentist in Lagos: What Are Your Options?

Lagos has several options for after-hours and emergency dental care. Private dental clinics in Lekki, VI, and Ikoyi are typically the best equipped for true emergencies. University Teaching Hospital dental departments (LUTH, LASUTH) can handle complex emergencies but may have wait times. Some private clinics like Dovers Dental maintain emergency contact numbers for existing and new patients.

Save This Number NowThe best time to find an emergency dentist is before you need one. Save the contact of a reputable Lekki or VI dental clinic in your phone today. When you’re in pain at midnight, the last thing you want to be doing is searching Google.

Emergency Dental Treatment Costs in Lagos

Emergency Treatment	Estimated Cost Range
Emergency consultation / examination	₦10,000 – ₦30,000
Emergency tooth extraction	₦30,000 – ₦120,000
Emergency root canal (single appointment)	₦80,000 – ₦200,000
Lost crown / filling replacement (temporary)	₦15,000 – ₦50,000
Dental abscess drainage + antibiotics	₦40,000 – ₦120,000

Pain Relief Before You Reach the Dentist

If you’re in severe pain and can’t get to a dentist immediately, over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil/Nurofen) is generally more effective for dental pain than paracetamol alone, as it addresses the inflammation causing much of the pain. A combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol is often recommended by dentists for acute dental pain — always follow dosage instructions and check for contraindications.

Applying clove oil (eugenol) directly to the painful tooth or gum with a cotton pellet can provide temporary numbing relief. This is available at most Lagos pharmacies.

Frequently Asked Questions

My toothache started at night and is now bearable — should I still see a dentist urgently?

Yes. Pain that suddenly disappears after being severe often means the nerve has died — the infection may still be active and spreading even though you no longer feel it. See a dentist as soon as possible.

Can I go to a general hospital for a toothache in Lagos?

General hospitals can provide pain relief and antibiotics, but they typically cannot perform definitive dental treatment like root canals or extractions unless they have a dental department. For true emergency dental care, a dental clinic is the right place.

Dental Emergency? We’re Here

Dovers Dental Clinic in Lekki Phase 1 treats dental emergencies promptly. Contact us now — don’t wait for the pain to get worse.

Contact Us Now

At Dovers Dental Clinic, fees are quoted before treatment begins so you can plan with confidence.

Related Care at Dovers Dental

Explore related services and book when you are ready:

• Emergency Dental Care
• Contact
• Services

Practical Tips You Can Use Today

While you wait for your appointment, keep meals less acidic, rinse with water after sugary drinks, and avoid aggressive scrubbing if your gums are sore. Use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily. If you are in severe pain, swelling, or fever, treat it as urgent and contact an emergency dentist in Lagos rather than waiting.

What Happens at a Dovers Consultation

Your dentist reviews your history, examines your teeth and gums, and explains findings in plain language. You receive a clear plan and a quote before treatment. Many patients combine preventive care such as scaling and polishing with cosmetic or restorative options when appropriate.

FAQs for Emergency Dentist in Lagos: What to Do When Tooth Pain Hits at Night

How soon should I book? If symptoms are getting worse, book within 24–48 hours. For routine concerns, schedule within the week so small problems do not become expensive ones.

Do you accept walk-ins? We try to accommodate urgent cases the same day when diaries allow. WhatsApp or call ahead so we can prepare for your visit.

Will I know the cost upfront? Yes. We quote before treatment. Preventive scaling starts from ₦40,000 and whitening from ₦50,000; other treatments are priced after examination.

Where are you located? Dovers Dental Clinic is in Lekki Phase 1 with free on-site parking. Patients visit from Ikate, Ajah, Sangotedo, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island.

Practical Tips You Can Use Today

While you wait for your appointment, keep meals less acidic, rinse with water after sugary drinks, and avoid aggressive scrubbing if your gums are sore. Use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily. If you are in severe pain, swelling, or fever, treat it as urgent and contact an emergency dentist in Lagos rather than waiting.

What Happens at a Dovers Consultation

Your dentist reviews your history, examines your teeth and gums, and explains findings in plain language. You receive a clear plan and a quote before treatment. Many patients combine preventive care such as scaling and polishing with cosmetic or restorative options when appropriate.

FAQs for Emergency Dentist in Lagos: What to Do When Tooth Pain Hits at Night

How soon should I book? If symptoms are getting worse, book within 24–48 hours. For routine concerns, schedule within the week so small problems do not become expensive ones.

Do you accept walk-ins? We try to accommodate urgent cases the same day when diaries allow. WhatsApp or call ahead so we can prepare for your visit.

Will I know the cost upfront? Yes. We quote before treatment. Preventive scaling starts from ₦40,000 and whitening from ₦50,000; other treatments are priced after examination.

Where are you located? Dovers Dental Clinic is in Lekki Phase 1 with free on-site parking. Patients visit from Ikate, Ajah, Sangotedo, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island.