Hurt today. Seen today.
If your child has a dental emergency during clinic hours, call us right away and we will fit you in. For severe injuries, swelling that affects breathing, or bleeding that will not stop, please go to your nearest emergency room first.
Same-day care during clinic hours
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Friday is by appointment only. We do our best to triage and fit your child in the same day. Closed Saturday and Sunday, and on statutory holidays.
First aid for the most common pediatric dental injuries.
These are starting steps. Call us as soon as your child is comfortable so we can assess the injury and plan the follow-up.
Knocked-out permanent tooth
Find the tooth, hold it by the crown (the white part) not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently in milk or saline. If your child is old enough to cooperate, place it back in the socket and have them hold it in with a clean cloth. Otherwise put it in milk or saliva. Call us right away. Time is critical for re-implantation.
Severe injury, swelling, or trouble breathing
If the injury is severe, your child is bleeding heavily, or you see facial swelling that's getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room. After the hospital handles the urgent piece, follow up with us for any dental repair.
Toothache
Rinse the mouth with warm water. Floss gently to dislodge any food caught between teeth. Apply a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling. Do not put aspirin or any painkiller directly on the gum or tooth (it can burn the tissue). Call us so we can find the cause.
Chipped or broken tooth
Save any pieces of the tooth if possible. Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress for swelling. Call us so we can assess whether the tooth can be smoothed, bonded, or restored.
Bitten lip or tongue
Clean the area gently with a damp cloth and apply a cold compress. Most bites stop bleeding within ten minutes and heal on their own. If bleeding continues or the cut is deep, head to your nearest emergency room.
Object stuck between teeth
Try to remove it with dental floss, working gently from one side. Do not use a pin, paperclip, or anything metal. That can cut the gum or push the object deeper. If floss does not free it, call us.
After-hours and after the emergency room
If the emergency happens after our clinic hours, call our office number first. If we cannot answer right away, an after-hours message will direct you to the nearest urgent care or hospital emergency department. After the urgent piece is handled, follow up with us as soon as we open so we can plan the dental follow-up.
For chipped or broken pieces of permanent teeth, save the fragments and bring them with you to the visit. Sometimes we can bond them back on, sometimes we use them to match the colour for a restoration.