Reviewed by Dr. Adel Elbaz, DDS, general dentist · Last reviewed
Emergency Dentist in London, Ontario
If you have a dental emergency, call us at 226-884-2573. We keep time open for emergencies and make every effort to see you the same day, including on Saturdays.
- Open 6 days: Monday to Friday 9 am – 9 pm, Saturday 9 am – 4 pm, closed Sunday
- New patients welcome: you don’t need to be a patient of ours to get emergency care. See new patients
- CDCP and insurance accepted, with direct billing
Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you have swelling that is spreading to your eye, neck or the floor of your mouth, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a high fever with facial swelling, or a serious injury to your face or jaw.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Call us right away if you have:
- a knocked-out (avulsed) adult tooth
- a broken, cracked or chipped tooth, especially if it hurts
- severe toothache that pain medication doesn’t control
- swelling of the gums, face or jaw, or a pimple-like bump on the gum (a sign of an abscess)
- bleeding in the mouth that won’t stop
- a lost or loose crown, filling, veneer or dental implant
- a broken denture, retainer or orthodontic wire that is cutting your mouth
- an object stuck between your teeth or in your gums that you can’t remove
- a mouth sore or ulcer that hasn’t healed after two weeks
If you’re not sure whether it’s urgent, call us and describe what’s happening. We will tell you how soon you need to be seen.
What to do before you get here
Knocked-out tooth
Time matters most here. A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of being saved if it is back in place within about 30 to 60 minutes.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. Don’t scrub it.
- If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If you can’t put it back, keep it in a small container of milk, or in your cheek (adults only). Don’t store it in plain water.
- Call us and come in right away.
Don’t try to put a baby tooth back in, as this can damage the adult tooth underneath. Call us instead.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you find. Hold a cold compress against your cheek to reduce swelling. If the tooth is sharp, cover the edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax until you get here.
Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently around the tooth to remove anything trapped. An over-the-counter pain reliever, taken as the label directs, can help. Don’t put aspirin directly on the gum, because it can burn the tissue. If the pain is severe, or you have swelling or a fever, call us the same day.
Swelling or a suspected abscess
An abscess is an infection and won’t go away on its own. Rinse with warm salt water and call us. If the swelling is spreading or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to a hospital emergency department.
Lost crown or filling
Keep the crown and bring it with you. We can often re-cement it. Until then, avoid chewing on that side. A temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth for a short time.
Bleeding after an extraction or injury
Bite firmly on clean gauze or a damp tea bag for 15 to 20 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t slow down, call us.
Broken braces wire or retainer
Push a poking wire away from your cheek with the eraser end of a pencil, or cover it with orthodontic wax. Don’t cut the wire yourself.
What happens at an emergency visit
- We find the cause. Dr. Adel Elbaz examines the area and takes an x-ray if needed to see what’s happening below the gum line.
- We get you out of pain. Our first goal is to relieve pain and stop any infection from spreading, often with treatment the same day, such as a filling, re-cementing a crown, starting a root canal or an extraction.
- We plan any follow-up. If you need more treatment later, we explain your options and the costs before anything is done.
If you are anxious, let us know. We offer nitrous oxide and other sedation options to keep you comfortable.
Cost and coverage
Our emergency exam fee follows the Ontario Dental Association fee guide. Most dental insurance plans and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) cover emergency exams and treatments such as fillings, root canals and extractions. We bill your plan directly whenever we can, and we always tell you the cost of treatment before we start.
Weekend and evening emergencies
Because we are open on Saturdays and until 9 pm on weekdays, you often don’t have to wait for Monday or sit in a hospital waiting room, which usually can’t treat the tooth itself. Read more about our evening and weekend hours.
Common questions
Do I need to be a patient to get emergency care?
No. New patients are welcome for emergencies. Call and we’ll fit you in as soon as we can.
What if it happens on a Sunday?
We’re closed on Sundays. Call us first thing Monday. If you have spreading swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or heavy bleeding, go to a hospital emergency department.
How much does an emergency visit cost?
Our emergency exam fee follows the Ontario Dental Association fee guide, and most insurance plans and CDCP cover it. We tell you the cost of any treatment before we start.
Should I go to the hospital for a toothache?
Hospital emergency departments can help with pain and spreading infection, but usually can’t treat the tooth itself. For most toothaches, a same-day dental visit is faster and fixes the cause.
How to avoid a dental emergency
- See us for regular checkups and cleanings so small problems are caught early.
- Wear a sports mouthguard for contact sports.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Don’t chew ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels, or use your teeth to open packages.
Dental emergency right now? Call 226-884-2573. We’re at 475 Wharncliffe Rd S, London.
Part of our other services services in London, Ontario. See all dental services.