South Kensington
- 20 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL
- Open seven days a week
- 020 7183 2362
Symptom guides · Wimpole Street, Marylebone
Dental conditions, explained before you book
Fifty short guides written by the dentists who will staff our Marylebone clinic from 1 November 2026. Each one covers what a symptom tends to feel like, why it happens, what is sensible to do at home tonight, how we would treat it and roughly what that costs. Use them to work out how quickly you need to be seen, then book at whichever of our clinics suits you.
A note on urgency
Every guide opens with a triage box. Facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing is a 999 or A&E matter, not a dental booking. For everything else, our South Kensington and St Paul's clinics can see you before Wimpole Street opens.
01
Pain & Emergencies
Problems that hurt now, or that could become serious if left.
- ToothacheAching, throbbing or sharp pain from a tooth.
- Dental abscessInfection with pus at a root or in the gum.
- Swollen face from a toothCheek or jaw swelling linked to a tooth.
- Pain when bitingDiscomfort only when teeth meet or release.
- Pain after a fillingSensitivity or ache following recent work.
- Wisdom tooth painSoreness at the very back of the mouth.
- Lost fillingA hole where a filling used to be.
- Loose or lost crownA cap that rocks or has come away.
- Broken toothA sizeable piece of tooth has fractured off.
- Broken dentureCracked plate, snapped base or missing tooth.
- Loose adult toothMovement in a tooth that should be firm.
02
Gums
From the first sign of bleeding to established periodontal disease.
- Bleeding gumsPink in the sink when brushing or flossing.
- GingivitisEarly, reversible gum inflammation.
- Gum diseaseThe full spectrum from gingivitis to bone loss.
- PeriodontitisGum disease that has reached the bone.
- Receding gumsRoots becoming exposed as gum pulls back.
- Swollen gumsPuffy, tender gum tissue.
- Gum pain around one toothLocalised soreness at a single site.
- Bad breath from gumsOdour driven by gum pockets.
03
Decay & Damage
Cavities, wear, cracks and chips in the tooth itself.
- CavitiesHoles forming in enamel and dentine.
- Tooth decayThe disease process behind cavities.
- Early decayChalky patches before a hole forms.
- White spots on teethDemineralised or developmental marks.
- Enamel erosionAcid wear thinning the outer layer.
- Tooth sensitivityShort sharp twinges with cold or sweet.
- Chipped toothA small corner or edge lost.
- Cracked tooth syndromeA hidden crack that hurts on biting.
- Craze linesFine surface lines in front-tooth enamel.
- Missing toothOptions after a tooth is lost.
- Loose dentureA plate that no longer grips.
04
Bite & Jaw
How the teeth meet, and the muscles and joints that move them.
- Bite feels offTeeth suddenly meeting differently.
- CrossbiteUpper teeth sitting inside the lower.
- Crowded teethToo little room, overlapping teeth.
- Gaps between teethSpacing at the front or elsewhere.
- OverbiteUpper front teeth too far over the lower.
- OverjetUpper front teeth protruding forwards.
- UnderbiteLower teeth ahead of the upper.
- Open biteFront teeth that never meet.
- Teeth grindingBruxism, usually during sleep.
- Jaw clenchingDaytime tension and tired muscles.
- Jaw clickingNoises from the joint on opening.
- TMJ painJoint and muscle pain around the jaw.
05
Appearance
Concerns that are mainly about how teeth look.
06
Mouth & Soft Tissue
Tongue, lining of the mouth, saliva and breath.
Marylebone, W1
Not sure which guide fits?
Book an examination and let a dentist work it out with you. Wimpole Street opens 1 November 2026; until then our other two London clinics have the same team and the same fees.
Opening 1 November 2026
Wimpole Street is not yet seeing patients. Until then, please book or call our South Kensington clinic on 020 7183 2362 or our St Paul's clinic on 020 7183 3709. Questions about the new clinic: wimpolestreet@md.co.uk.
Until we open
Need an appointment before 1 November 2026?
The same clinical team already works from two other Medical & Dental clinics. Book at either one now and, if you prefer, move your ongoing care to Wimpole Street once the doors open.
St Paul's, City of London
- 5 Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M 7AQ
- Open Monday to Friday
- 020 7183 3709