Dental Emergency in Prague: What to Do Tonight

First, get the pain under control tonight

Current evidence-based guidance for acute dental pain, from a joint panel of the American Association of Endodontists and the American Dental Association, is clear about what actually works best. An NSAID — ibuprofen 400 mg or naproxen 440 mg — is the recommended first choice for most adults, because it treats the inflammation that is causing the pain, not just the sensation of it. If that isn't enough on its own, adding paracetamol (acetaminophen) 500 mg alongside it works better than either drug alone. Always follow the dose printed on the package and check with a pharmacist if you take other medication.

Opioid painkillers are not the recommended first step — the same guidance reserves them for exceptional situations and for a maximum of a few days. For the vast majority of toothaches, an NSAID plus paracetamol controls the pain well enough to get you comfortably through the night.

Simple first aid that helps until you're seen

Alongside painkillers, a few low-tech steps recommended by the NHS and Mayo Clinic make a real difference while you wait for an appointment:

• Rinse gently with warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt — several times a day.
• Use floss (not a sharp object) to dislodge any food trapped between the teeth.
• Hold a cold compress against the cheek, not directly on the gum, in short spells.
• Avoid very hot, cold, sweet or hard food and drink on the painful side.
• Sleep with your head slightly raised — lying flat can increase throbbing.

You don't need to already have "your own dentist" in Prague

A common worry for expats: "I've never been to this clinic — will they even see me?" In the Czech Republic, dentists are required to provide urgent care for acute pain, including to patients who aren't already registered with them (a rule confirmed by the Czech Dental Chamber, Česká stomatologická komora). In practice, that means a new patient in genuine pain is not turned away.

At DENTA-VITA, one minute from metro B Lužiny in Prague 13 (Stodůlky), we take acute cases the same day whenever possible, and the whole team speaks English — no interpreter needed to describe where it hurts. Call before you come; the dentist confirms every emergency slot personally by phone, so we don't use online booking forms for this.

What a same-day emergency visit costs

Prices are set upfront and listed on our full price list. For an acute visit you can typically expect:

• Emergency check-up — 700 CZK
• White filling (composite) — from 1 800 CZK
• Acute root canal treatment — from 1 100 CZK
• Acute extraction — from 1 900 CZK

The exact treatment and price depend on what the dentist finds — we always confirm the price before starting anything. If the tooth can be saved rather than removed, we'll say so; see our guide on dental care for expats in Prague for how public and private insurance fits into the picture.