In a dental emergency, stay calm, save any tooth or broken pieces, rinse gently with warm water and call a dentist right away. A knocked-out tooth, severe pain, bleeding or a broken tooth needs prompt care. In London, ON, Southdale Dental Office does its best to offer same day visits. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any sudden problem that causes severe pain, bleeding, swelling or tooth damage that cannot wait. Common examples include:
- A knocked-out tooth
- A severe or throbbing toothache
- A chipped tooth or broken tooth
- A lost filling or crown
- Swelling in your gums, cheek or face
- An injury to your gums, lips or tongue
If you are not sure whether your situation is urgent, call our office and our team will help you decide.
Dental Emergency First Aid: What to Do Right Now
Quick action at home can protect your tooth until you are seen. Here is what to do for the most common emergencies.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with water without scrubbing. Place it back into the socket if you can, or keep it moist in milk, and see a dentist as quickly as possible. Do not try to put a baby tooth back in.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Rinse with warm water, save any pieces and avoid chewing on that side. A cold compress on your cheek can reduce swelling. Minor chips are often repaired with dental bonding, while larger breaks may need a dental crown.
Severe Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to remove trapped food and use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek. Do not place aspirin directly against the gum, because it can irritate the tissue.
Lost Filling or Crown
Keep the crown if you can and avoid chewing on that side. A pharmacy may sell temporary dental cement, but never use household glue. The tooth is exposed until it is repaired, so call us soon about a new dental filling or crown.
Bleeding or Soft Tissue Injury
Rinse gently and press clean gauze against the area. Add a cold compress on the outside to ease swelling. If bleeding does not stop with steady pressure, go to the nearest emergency room.
When Should You Go to the ER Instead of a Dentist?
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you have swelling that spreads to your face or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a fever with severe pain, or a serious injury to your head or jaw. These can signal a spreading infection or a more serious injury. Once you are stable, our team can follow up with your dental care.
How Quickly Can You Be Seen for an Emergency Dental Visit?
Our team does its best to see emergency patients on the same day, and we give you an honest estimate of the wait when you call. Call 519-686-4867 as early in the day as you can and tell us what is happening. We are open Monday to Friday, plus Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are injured outside our hours and the situation is serious, go to the nearest emergency room.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Visit?
We keep emergency visits focused, calm and clear.
- Your call: Tell our front desk team your symptoms so we can prioritize your visit.
- Focused exam: Your dentist examines the area and takes any X-rays needed to find the cause.
- Relief and options: We explain what is wrong and what your choices are, including the cost.
- Treatment: Depending on the cause, this may be a repair, a filling, root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.
- Aftercare: We explain how to care for the area and what follow-up you need.
If you feel anxious, ask about conscious or mild sedation dentistry.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Not every emergency can be avoided, but a few habits lower your risk:
- Keep up with regular exams and cleanings, as explained in our guide on how often to get your teeth cleaned
- Treat small cavities early before they weaken the tooth
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports
- Ask about a custom night guard if you grind your teeth
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy or pen caps, and never use your teeth as tools
Why Patients Trust Southdale Dental Office in a Dental Emergency
Since 1995, families from London, St. Thomas, Komoka and Dorchester have trusted Southdale Dental Office for gentle, judgment free care. Meet our dentists to see who will look after you.
- Same day emergency visits whenever possible
- Experienced, trusted dentists with decades of combined experience
- Transparent pricing and insurance friendly billing
- Conscious and mild sedation for nervous patients
- An English and Arabic speaking team
Get Help for a Dental Emergency in London, ON
Do not wait out dental pain. Call 519-686-4867 or request an appointment online. You will find us at 104-553 Southdale Rd E, London, ON N6C 1A2, and you can contact our team with any questions.
Dental Emergency FAQs
What should I do if I chip a tooth?
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water, save any pieces and avoid chewing on that side. Apply a cold compress if your lip or cheek is swollen, then call us. Minor chips can often be repaired with dental bonding, while larger breaks may need a crown. Pain or sensitivity means you should be seen the same day if possible.
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?
Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root, and rinse it gently if it is dirty. If you can, place it back in the socket. Otherwise, keep it moist in milk and call us immediately. Getting seen quickly gives the tooth the best chance. Do not try to put a baby tooth back in.
Is a toothache a dental emergency?
A toothache is an emergency if the pain is severe, throbbing or comes with swelling, fever or a bad taste in your mouth. Pain that lingers or worsens means something needs attention, even if it comes and goes. If you are unsure, call our office and our team will help you decide how quickly to be seen.
Can a toothache go away on its own?
Pain can fade even though the cause remains. Decay, a crack or an infection can keep progressing quietly, and nerve damage can sometimes make pain temporarily subside. That is why any persistent toothache should be examined rather than waited out. Early care usually means simpler treatment, such as a filling instead of more involved care.
Do you offer same day emergency dental appointments in London, ON?
Yes. Southdale Dental Office does its best to see emergency patients the same day for issues like a chipped tooth, a toothache or a lost filling. Call 519-686-4867 as early in the day as you can, and we will give you an honest estimate of timing so you can plan your day.
Should I go to the ER or a dentist for tooth pain?
Call a dentist first for most tooth pain, broken teeth and lost fillings, because a dental team can treat the cause. Go to the ER or call 911 if you have facial swelling that spreads, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or a serious injury to your head or jaw.
What can I take for tooth pain until my appointment?
Over the counter pain relief taken as directed on the label can ease discomfort for a short time, and a cold compress on your cheek can help with swelling. Do not place aspirin directly against the gum. These steps are temporary and are not a substitute for a same day evaluation from our team.
What should I do if I lose a filling or crown?
Keep the crown if you can, avoid chewing on that side and call us. Some pharmacies sell temporary dental cement that can hold a loose crown briefly, but do not use household glue. A missing filling or crown leaves the tooth exposed, so a prompt visit helps protect it from further damage or decay.
How much does an emergency dental visit cost?
The cost depends on the care you need, from a simple repair to more involved treatment. Our team explains your options and pricing clearly before treatment begins, and we help with insurance claims. If you are worried about cost, tell us when you call, and we will talk through your choices so you can decide with confidence.
Can new patients get emergency dental care?
Yes. We welcome new patients and do our best to fit in urgent visits for people across London, St. Thomas, Komoka and Dorchester. Call 519-686-4867 and tell us what is happening. If you can, bring photo ID, your insurance details and a list of current medications, but do not delay care to gather paperwork.
What is a dental abscess, and is it an emergency?
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection near a tooth, often causing severe throbbing pain, swelling, a bad taste or fever. It needs prompt dental care, so call us right away. If swelling spreads to your face or neck, or affects your breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.