Severe toothache
Pain that keeps you up at night or does not ease with pain relief often points to infection that needs prompt treatment.
Emergency Dentist in Hamilton
A bad toothache or a broken tooth does not wait for a convenient time. At Limegreen Dental on Hamilton Mountain, we keep room for urgent cases and do our best to see you the same day. If you are in pain, call (905) 383-7979 first.
In pain right now? Call us first
The fastest way to be seen is to phone us. Call (905) 383-7979 and describe what is happening, and our team will get you in as quickly as we can. If you have severe facial swelling with fever, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, treat it as a medical emergency and seek immediate care.
What counts as a dental emergency
Not every dental problem needs to be seen within the hour, but some do. As a rule, if you are in real pain, bleeding, swelling, or have just lost or broken a tooth, call us straight away. These are the situations we treat as urgent.
Broken or knocked-out tooth
A cracked, chipped or knocked-out tooth, or a tooth pushed out of place, needs to be seen fast to give it the best chance.
Swelling or bleeding
Swelling of the gum or face, or bleeding that will not stop, can signal infection or injury and should be treated quickly.
A lost filling or crown, or a sharp broken edge cutting your cheek, also counts when it is causing pain. If you are not sure whether your problem is urgent, call us anyway and we will help you decide.
Same-day care when you need it
We understand that a dental emergency turns your whole day upside down. That is why we hold time in the schedule for urgent visits and aim to see emergencies the same day. With evening hours through the week and Saturday appointments, we can often fit you in around work or school. When you call, tell us what is going on and how long it has been happening, and we will prioritise getting you comfortable and out of pain.
What to do before you reach us
While you arrange to come in, a few simple steps can help. Match your situation below.
Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to clear any trapped food, and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed. A cold compress on the cheek helps with swelling. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum.
Knocked-out tooth
Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root, and rinse it gently without scrubbing. If you can, put it back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a cup of milk and come in right away. The first hour matters most.
Broken or chipped tooth
Save any pieces if you can, rinse your mouth with warm water, and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Cover a sharp edge with dental wax or sugar-free gum so it does not cut your cheek or tongue.
Swelling
Rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. Call us as soon as you can, since swelling often means infection that needs to be treated promptly.
How we treat emergencies
Our first goal is to get you out of pain. Once you are comfortable, we examine the tooth, take a digital x-ray if needed, and explain what is going on and what your options are. Depending on the problem, treatment might mean root canal therapy to settle an infected tooth, a filling or crown to repair a broken one, or in some cases a gentle extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. We always talk you through the plan before we begin, even in an urgent visit.
Read our emergency guide
Our blog post on what to do in a dental emergency walks through the most common situations step by step, so you know how to react in the moment. It is a useful read to keep in mind, or to share with family.
Insurance and the CDCP
Worry should not stop you from getting urgent care. We bill most insurance plans directly, accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan for eligible services, and check and explain your coverage before treatment, even on the same day.
Dental emergency on the Mountain? Call now
If a tooth is causing you pain, do not wait it out and hope it settles, because it usually gets worse. We see emergency patients from across the Mountain, Ancaster, Dundas and Stoney Creek, with free parking off Upper James and a ground-floor accessible entrance. Call (905) 383-7979 first so we can get you in. If your situation is not urgent, you can book an appointment online instead.
Good to know
Emergency dental questions
In pain right now? Call (905) 383-7979 and we will help you straight away.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe or lasting tooth pain, a knocked-out or broken tooth, a tooth pushed out of place, significant swelling of the gum or face, bleeding that will not stop, and a lost filling or crown that is causing pain all count as dental emergencies. If you are unsure, call us and we will help you decide what to do.
Can I get a same-day dental appointment in Hamilton?
We keep room for urgent cases and do our best to see emergencies the same day. Call (905) 383-7979 as early as you can and describe what is happening, and our team will fit you in as soon as possible at our Hamilton Mountain clinic.
What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and gently rinse it without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a cup of milk and come in right away. A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of being saved within the first hour, so call us at once.
How do I manage a toothache before my appointment?
Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to remove any trapped food, and use over-the-counter pain relief as directed. A cold compress on the cheek can ease swelling. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum. These steps help for now, but a toothache needs to be seen, so book in promptly.
Is dental swelling serious?
Swelling can be a sign of infection and should be treated quickly, as it can spread. If you have facial swelling along with fever, or any difficulty breathing or swallowing, treat it as urgent and seek care immediately. For dental swelling, call us right away so we can see you and treat the cause.
Does insurance or the CDCP cover emergency dental visits?
Many insurance plans cover emergency exams and treatment, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers eligible services. We bill most plans directly and will check and explain your coverage before treatment, even in an urgent visit.