When you or a loved one has had an injury to their face or experienced serious pain, we can help. We take our emergency care very seriously and we will accommodate you as quickly as possible. If your emergency happens after hours, please call (604) 731-9111 and our answering service will provide you with our emergency contact information. Please find below some helpful information regarding possible dental emergencies.

Loss of a tooth:

Please follow the steps listed below and then call our office immediately.

1. Find the tooth

For a baby tooth, apply clean gauze to the site and apply pressure for 5min or as needed to control the bleeding. A baby tooth is not reimplanted after it has been knocked out because reimplantation can interfere with the eruption of the subsequent adult tooth. Please call our office to make an appointment to ensure the surrounding teeth and tissues are intact.

For an adult tooth, apply clean gauze to the area with gentle pressure and continue with the steps listed below.

2. Rinse the tooth gently with tap water by holding the tooth by the top (crown of the tooth). Do not rub, scrub or touch the root of the tooth.

3. Store the tooth properly for transport by placing the tooth back into the socket into its normal position. Bite down gently on gauze or a moist tea bag to help hold the tooth in place.

4. Call our office immediately or go to a hospital emergency room.

Chipped or Fractured Tooth

Chipped teeth that don’t cause pain are not usually considered a dental emergency. Fractured or cracked teeth, however, are considered an emergency. If you are experiencing pain or have a large, visible fracture of part of a tooth, please phone us as soon as possible. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to dislodge any food debris and consider taking a pain reliever such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen, as directed by the manufacturer.

Swelling and/or Toothache

If you are experiencing a toothache or a visible swelling associated with a toothache, please call us right away. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and gently brush and floss your teeth. Apply a cold compress to the area in intervals of 20min on and 20min off. Consider taking a pain reliever such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen as directed by the manufacturer.

Tissue Injuries

For soft tissue injuries such as cuts or lacerations, please take the following steps:

1. Rinse the area gently with warm water.
2. Use clean gauze to apply firm, gentle pressure for 15min.
3. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the affected area to control bruising and swelling.

Contact us immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if bleeding cannot be controlled or you have a large tissue injury associated with dental trauma.