Last updated: October 2026
A dental emergency is anything that needs care within hours rather than days: severe pain, a knocked-out or loose adult tooth, heavy bleeding, or swelling from an infection. If you’re in Nepean or west Ottawa, call your dentist first. If facial swelling is making it hard to breathe or swallow, or you have a high fever with swelling, go to a hospital emergency department or call 911.
Below is what to do for each common emergency, what can wait until the next business day, and where to get help in Ottawa after hours.
Is It a Dental Emergency?
| Situation | How urgent | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing | Call 911 / go to the ER now | Don’t wait for a dental appointment |
| Facial swelling with fever | Same day | Call your dentist; go to the ER if it spreads quickly or you feel very unwell |
| Knocked-out adult tooth | Within 30–60 minutes | Put it back or keep it in milk, then see a dentist immediately |
| Severe toothache that keeps you awake | Same day | Call your dentist |
| Bleeding that won’t stop after 15–20 minutes of pressure | Same day | Call your dentist; ER if heavy |
| Broken tooth with pain or a sharp edge | Within 24 hours | Call your dentist |
| Lost filling or crown, no pain | Within a few days | Book the next available visit |
| Small chip, no pain | Not urgent | Mention it at your next visit |
What to Do for the Most Common Dental Emergencies
Knocked-out adult tooth
Time matters most. A tooth put back within the first hour has the best chance of surviving.
- Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly with water only. Don’t scrub it or wrap it in tissue.
- Try to put it back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can’t, keep it in milk (or inside your cheek, if you’re an adult and won’t swallow it). Don’t store it in tap water.
- See a dentist within 30 minutes if you can. A tooth that has been out of the mouth and dry for less than 60 minutes has the best chance of being saved.
Don’t put a baby tooth back in. It can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call your dentist for advice instead.
Broken or cracked tooth
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Save any pieces and bring them with you.
- Hold a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling.
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax.
- Call your dentist. A crack that hurts when you bite can reach the nerve.
Severe toothache
- Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to remove any trapped food.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the package.
- Don’t put aspirin directly on the gum. It can burn the tissue.
- Call your dentist. Ongoing pain usually means an inflamed or infected nerve, which won’t heal on its own.
Toothache at night
- Keep your head raised on an extra pillow to reduce throbbing.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet food and drink before bed.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes at a time.
- Call your dentist first thing in the morning. If swelling spreads or you get a fever overnight, go to the ER.
Abscess or swelling
A pimple-like bump on the gum, a bad taste, or swelling in your face or jaw can mean an infection. Infections don’t go away without treatment and can spread. Call your dentist the same day. If the swelling is near your eye, under your tongue, or making it hard to breathe or swallow, go to the ER.
Lost filling or crown
- Keep the crown if you find it.
- You can temporarily cover the tooth with sugar-free gum or a dental cement from the pharmacy.
- Don’t glue a crown back with household glue.
- Book a visit within a few days, sooner if it hurts.
Bitten lip, tongue or cheek
Clean the area gently with water and press a clean cloth on it to stop bleeding. Use a cold compress for swelling. If bleeding doesn’t stop after 15–20 minutes of firm pressure, get care right away.
Broken braces wire
Push the wire into a better position with the eraser end of a pencil, or cover it with orthodontic wax. Don’t cut it yourself. Call your orthodontist.
Should You Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency in Ontario?
Go to a hospital emergency department if you have:
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- Swelling that’s spreading to your eye or neck
- A high fever with facial swelling
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
- A jaw injury or other injuries from an accident
For most other dental problems, a dentist is the better choice. Hospital emergency departments can manage pain, infection and serious swelling, but they usually can’t fix the tooth itself. You’ll still need to see a dentist afterwards.
Where to Get Emergency Dental Care in Ottawa
Your own dentist first
Call your dental office. Many keep time open for emergencies and can advise you over the phone.
After hours: Ottawa Dental Society Dental Emergency Service
If you can’t reach your dentist or don’t have one, the Ottawa Dental Society runs a Dental Emergency Service.
- Phone: 613-523-4185, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week
- Listen to the recording for the dentist on duty, then call that office directly to book
- It’s for emergencies only (pain, abscess, swelling, knocked-out tooth). Fees apply.
Low-income adults
Adults with low income may be able to get limited emergency dental care through the City of Ottawa’s Essential Health and Social Supports program. Call 3-1-1 to ask.
Life-threatening symptoms
Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Emergency Dentist in Nepean and Bells Corners
If you have a dental emergency, call Bells Corners Dental Studio at (613) 421-2222. Our team will help you work out how urgent it is, give you first-aid advice, and arrange care as soon as we can. New patients are welcome, and we accept CDCP and direct bill many insurers.
Dental emergency? Call us first.
Tell us what happened and we’ll advise you on the next step.
Call or Text (613) 421-2222 Book Online Emergency Dentistry2150 Robertson Rd, Unit 9, Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 · CDCP accepted · Direct billing
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
- Wear a mouthguard for hockey, soccer, basketball and other contact sports.
- Don’t chew ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels, and don’t use your teeth to open packages.
- Fix small problems early. A cavity or cracked filling is easier and cheaper to treat before it hurts.
- Keep up with check-ups so we can spot weak teeth before they break.
Custom oral appliances and mouthguards →
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe pain, a knocked-out or loose adult tooth, bleeding that won’t stop, and swelling from an infection. A small chip or a lost filling without pain can usually wait a few days.
Can you go to the ER for a dental emergency in Ontario?
Yes, if you have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a high fever with swelling, heavy bleeding, or a jaw injury. For most other dental problems, see a dentist, because the ER usually can’t repair the tooth.
What will the ER do for tooth pain?
The ER can help with pain and infection, for example with medication, but usually can’t fix the tooth. You’ll still need a dentist afterwards.
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
The best chance is if it goes back in within 30 to 60 minutes. Keep it in milk if you can’t put it back, and see a dentist immediately.
What should I do about a toothache at night?
Rinse with warm salt water, take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, keep your head raised, and call your dentist in the morning. Go to the ER if swelling spreads or you develop a fever.
Is there an after-hours dentist in Ottawa?
The Ottawa Dental Society’s Dental Emergency Service (613-523-4185) runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, and connects you with the dentist on duty.
Do you see emergency patients who aren’t already patients?
Yes. Call Bells Corners Dental Studio at (613) 421-2222 and we’ll do our best to see you as soon as possible.
Sources
- Ottawa Dental Society, Dental Emergency Service
- American Association of Endodontists, Knocked-out teeth
- International Association of Dental Traumatology, 2020 guidelines for avulsion of permanent teeth
- StatPearls (NCBI), Dental Emergencies
- Ottawa Public Health, Dental health
This article is general information and not a substitute for professional dental or medical advice. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.
