Emergency Dentist in North York

About the service

Ontario's dental regulator, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), defines a dental emergency as a situation where a person appears to be in severe suffering, or is at risk of serious bodily harm or permanent damage if not treated promptly. A problem also counts if putting off care could reasonably lead to that harm.

The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) says contacting a dentist right away after a dental emergency improves the chance of saving the tooth and preventing further damage.

If a dental problem cannot wait, call Ur Dental during opening hours. The clinic is closed on Mondays; its hours, address and phone number are further down this page.

Some situations call for a hospital or 911 instead.

What are some reasons to go to the hospital or call 911?

Ontario's Ministry of Health says to call 911 for emergency symptoms such as breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness or confusion. This is its general advice for medical emergencies, not only dental ones.

If you badly bite your lip or tongue, press on it with a clean cloth and use an ice pack for swelling. The ODA says to go to the hospital right away if the bleeding does not stop.

How does a dentist decide whether it is an emergency?

The RCDSO gives dentists a list of criteria to weigh, such as severe or uncontrolled bleeding, swelling in the mouth that is not confined to one area or is not draining, pain that over-the-counter medicine cannot fully control, and an injury that could affect daily activities; it says the list is not exhaustive and does not replace professional judgement. Some problems feel urgent without meeting the definition: the RCDSO's example is a small chip on a front tooth before an important event, with no pain or swelling. The dentist decides, and where possible may consider other options, such as the earliest available appointment, a place on a cancellation list, or a discussion of temporary or short-term solutions.

What should you do before you see a dentist?

The steps below follow the ODA's first-aid advice for common dental emergencies.

What can you do for a toothache?

When the pain is constant or severe, phone your dentist without delay, describe your symptoms and ask to be seen as soon as you can. Your dentist may suggest an over-the-counter or prescription pain medicine; take it as your dentist directs, and never leave a pill against the sore tooth.

Keep heat, such as a heating pad or hot water bottle, away from your jaw: the ODA says heat makes things worse.

If the pain follows a dental procedure and you did not expect it, the ODA's patient magazine advises checking with your dentist before you take any medication.

What should you do if an adult tooth is knocked out?

These steps are for adult (permanent) teeth only. Never put a baby tooth back in.

Go to your dentist, or the nearest dentist, right away, because a dentist may be able to put the tooth back. Timing matters: the ODA says the tooth has a fair chance of reattaching if it is back in place within 10 minutes, and a poor one once an hour has passed.

Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part covered by enamel. If it needs cleaning, rinse it in cool water without scrubbing it or using soap. Then ease it back into its socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth.

If you cannot put it back, or if it might be swallowed, carry it in a container of cold milk. At the office, the dentist assesses the tooth and may try to hold it steady so that it can reattach.

What if a child's baby tooth is knocked out?

Do not try to put a baby tooth back. The ODA warns that doing so may damage the adult tooth growing underneath.

Contact your dentist as soon as possible. If there is bleeding, rinse the mouth with water and place gauze in the gap. A cold compress held on the outside of the mouth can reduce swelling.

What should you do about a chipped or broken tooth?

If the tooth is bleeding or painful, contact your dentist right away, rinse your mouth with water and use cold compresses to bring down swelling. Otherwise, call your dentist as soon as possible.

If you find the broken piece, keep it in cold milk and bring it with you.

The ODA says a small break may be repaired with a filling and a serious one may need a root canal, and the tooth may also need a dental crown.

What if an adult tooth is loose?

The ODA treats a loose adult tooth, whether it comes from gum disease or a blow to the mouth, as a serious problem. See your dentist.

What if you lose a filling or a crown?

For a lost filling, the ODA suggests placing a softened piece of sugarless chewing gum in the spot and seeing your dentist as soon as possible.

The ODA gives no first-aid steps for a crown that has come off, so call the clinic during opening hours and ask what to do.

What if something is stuck between your teeth?

Try to remove it with dental floss, never with a pin or other sharp object. If it will not come out, see your dentist.

What happens at an emergency dental appointment?

Before treatment, the dentist must take your relevant medical history, so answer the health questions carefully and completely. Mention every medicine, non-prescription drug and herbal supplement you take: some, aspirin for example, can increase bleeding time.

An emergency visit may need X-rays to find the cause of the pain or problem.

Consent is required for emergency treatment too. The ODA suggests asking why a treatment is recommended, whether there are alternatives, and what refusing or delaying it would mean for you.

What if you are anxious about dental treatment?

If you are anxious about treatment, the ODA suggests telling the receptionist or dentist when you book and again when you arrive, and asking the dentist which options, if any, they offer to help.

What if you are not a patient, or the office is closed?

A dentist does not have to accept every new patient, but the RCDSO says a dentist must manage a dental emergency for anyone who contacts the office, which may mean providing care or directing you to where you can get it. If a dentist other than your own treats you, you should then be referred back to your regular dentist with a report.

When an office is closed, the RCDSO requires dentists to have arranged for their patients to be directed to another dentist or an emergency dental facility, and patients who contact the office must be told how to get that care. The ODA suggests asking your dentist about after-hours care before you need it.

How are fees for emergency care set?

The ODA explains that dental fees reflect the complexity of the treatment, the time it takes, the materials and equipment used, sterilization and safety procedures, trained and licensed staff, and continuing education. Dentists in Ontario set their own fees and are not required to follow the ODA's Suggested Fee Guide, but the RCDSO says a dentist must tell you if they intend to charge more than the guide.

If the dentist decides during treatment that the plan has to change, they should explain the additional costs and confirm that you agree before going ahead.

Ur Dental accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). We bill CDCP directly where the plan covers the service; you pay any co-payment.

How can you lower the risk of a dental emergency?

The ODA suggests these habits to help prevent injuries and emergencies: do not bite ice, eat hard foods slowly rather than quickly, do not use your teeth as tools, and wear a mouthguard when you play sports.