Dental Emergencies

Emergency Dental Care Before & After
Dental problems can occur unexpectedly and often require immediate attention. Whether you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, or trauma to your teeth, prompt treatment can prevent complications and protect your oral health. At Bronte Road Family Dental, we provide reliable emergency dental services to help you get relief quickly and safely.
This guide explains what qualifies as a dental emergency, the most common types of emergencies, what you can do at home, and when you should seek immediate care.
What Is an Emergency Dental Service?
Emergency dental services address urgent oral health problems that cause pain, bleeding, infection, or risk of tooth loss. These situations should never be ignored, as delaying treatment can lead to more serious complications.
At Bronte Road Family Dental, we commonly treat emergencies such as:
- Serious toothaches
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Lost fillings or crowns
- Dental abscesses
- Broken orthodontic brackets or wires
- Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth
- Sudden jaw injury or suspected fracture
If you are experiencing a dental emergency in Oakville, call (905) 465-0026 or use our online booking form for urgent assistance.
How Can Emergency Dental Care Help?
Prompt treatment can:
- Relieve severe pain or pressure
- Prevent infection from spreading
- Save a broken or knocked-out tooth
- Restore function and comfort
- Protect surrounding teeth and gums
- Prevent long-term complications
Our dental team is equipped to diagnose the problem quickly and provide immediate treatment or guidance for next steps.
Types of Dental Emergencies and What to Do
1. Toothache
A severe or persistent toothache often indicates an underlying issue such as decay, infection, or a damaged nerve.
What you can do:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers (avoid aspirin on the gums).
- Apply clove oil to the affected area for temporary relief.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
When to seek care:
If pain is intense, recurring, or accompanied by swelling, call your dentist promptly.
2. Dental Abscess
An abscess is a serious infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum.
What you can do:
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Take pain relievers as needed.
Seek immediate care:
Abscesses can spread quickly and are considered dental emergencies.
If you develop fever, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling, call 911 or visit Oakville Memorial Hospital.
3. Lost Filling or Crown
A dislodged restoration can expose sensitive tooth structure.
What you can do:
- Use temporary dental cement or sugar-free gum to cover the area.
- Keep the lost filling or crown and bring it to your appointment.
Seek care soon:
Your dentist may be able to re-cement the crown or replace the restoration.
4. Broken or Fractured Tooth
Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth can be painful and require treatment.
What you can do:
- Rinse gently to clean the area.
- Apply a cold compress to minimize swelling.
Seek immediate dental care:
Early treatment helps preserve the tooth and prevent infection.
5. Broken Brackets or Wires (Orthodontics)
Braces can sometimes break or detach.
What you can do:
- Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp edges.
- Avoid cutting wires at home.
Seek orthodontic assistance:
Contact your orthodontist for repair.
6. Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
Fast action is critical in saving a knocked-out tooth.
What you can do:
- Hold the tooth only by the crown, not the root.
- Rinse gently if dirty—do not scrub.
- Attempt to reinsert it into the socket if possible.
- If not, store it in milk or saline.
Seek immediate care:
Call your dentist right away. The highest success rate is within 30 minutes of the injury.
7. Possible Jaw Fracture
A jaw injury is a medical emergency.
What you can do:
- Avoid movement.
- Apply a cold compress.
Seek emergency care:
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
After-Hours Dental Emergencies
If our office is closed:
- Use our online contact form for urgent assistance
- Visit Oakville Hospital for severe pain, bleeding, or swelling
- Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms
We strive to accommodate same-day or next-day emergency appointments whenever possible.
Risks to Be Aware Of
Delaying emergency dental care can lead to:
- Worsening infection
- Tooth loss
- Severe swelling
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Spread of infection to other areas of the body
- Permanent damage to teeth or gums
When in doubt, err on the side of caution—contact a dental professional right away.
Commitment to patient care
We are dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care, ensuring your comfort and delivering quality dental care for a healthier, brighter smile.


Book your appointment today and experience the difference of a dental team that truly cares. Proudly serving Bronte and Oakville community for over 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of helping more than 3,500 patients achieve healthier, more confident smiles. Our commitment to excellence has been recognized with the Consumer Choice Award for six consecutive years, and our patients consistently highlight our gentle, friendly approach in their reviews. Whether you’re due for a checkup or looking for a new dental home, we’re here to make your visit comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding—book now and see why our community trusts us.
A team of talented dental professionals in Oakville
Our dental staff in Oakville is dedicated to providing compassionate, professional care in a welcoming environment.
With a focus on patient comfort and personalized service, our team ensures every visit is stress-free and tailored to your needs.
Trust our skilled professionals to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

