Emergency Dental Care in Aurora

A dental emergency is stressful. Here is what to do right now, when to call us, and when to go to the hospital instead.

The short answer

For a dental emergency in Aurora, call Aurora Gateway Dental Care at (289) 475-5497. We book emergency appointments as soon as possible during opening hours. If we're closed, follow the instructions on our line. For swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or a serious injury, call 911.

Request a visit Call (289) 475-5497

Visits: 1 emergency visit to settle the problem, then a plan for follow-up care
Timeline: Seen as soon as possible during opening hours
Comfort: First goal is easing pain; we explain options before treating
Coverage: Insurance, CDCP (emergency exams) and IFHP
Dentist: Our dentists

What it is

A dental emergency is a problem that should not wait for your next checkup: strong tooth pain, a tooth knocked out or broken, swelling in your gum or face, or a mouth injury. When you call during opening hours, we book you in as soon as we can. At that visit, our first goal is to find the cause and ease the pain. Longer treatment may be planned for another day.

Some problems feel urgent but can wait a day or two with care at home: a small chip with no pain, a lost filling, or a loose crown you can keep. Call us anyway so we can tell you how soon to come in. Our hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm.

When we are closed, call (289) 475-5497 and follow the instructions on our line. Health811 can also help: call 811 (TTY 711) or use the online chat to reach a registered nurse, day or night. The nurse can help you judge whether to wait for our next opening or go to a hospital. For anything that affects breathing, or for serious injury, do not wait: call 911.

Where to go first: call our clinic for tooth pain, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown, or gum swelling without fever. Go to a hospital emergency department for a possible broken jaw, a cut lip or tongue that keeps bleeding after firm pressure, or facial swelling with fever when we are closed. Call 911 for swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, or for a head injury.

A dentist examines a young woman holding her painful cheek

Is it right for me?

A toothache keeps you awake or does not ease with over-the-counter pain relief
An adult tooth has been knocked out or pushed out of place
A tooth has cracked or broken, with or without pain
Your gum, cheek or jaw is swollen, or you notice a pimple-like bump on the gum
A filling or crown has come out and the tooth is sharp or sensitive
Bleeding continues after an extraction even with firm pressure on gauze

Step by step

Call usPhone (289) 475-5497. If we're closed, follow the instructions on our line. Tell us what happened, when, and how much pain or swelling you have.
First aid at homeFollow the tips on this page for your problem while you wait. Bring any broken pieces or the knocked-out tooth with you.
Exam and X-rayYour dentist looks at the area and takes an X-ray if needed to find the cause.
Ease the painThis may mean smoothing a sharp edge, placing a temporary filling, draining an infection or starting root canal treatment.
Plan the restIf more care is needed, you get a written estimate and a follow-up appointment.

A dentist checks on a patient in the treatment chair

A dentist checks a boy in the dental chair while his parent waits

How it compares

Question	Call our clinic	Hospital ER	Call 911
Toothache or lost filling	Yes	Only if we are closed and pain is severe	No
Knocked-out or broken tooth	Yes, right away	If we are closed or there are other injuries	Only with a serious head injury
Facial swelling	Yes, if breathing is normal	If we are closed, or you have fever	If it affects breathing or swallowing
Possible broken jaw or bleeding that will not stop	No	Yes	If severe

General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Pain and infection are treated before they spread or get worse
A knocked-out adult tooth seen quickly has a better chance of being saved
A broken tooth can often be repaired if it is seen before it cracks further
You leave with a clear plan, instead of guessing what to do next

Risks and limits

An emergency visit usually settles the problem but may not finish treatment; more visits are often needed
A knocked-out tooth may not reattach, especially if it was dry or out for a long time
Infections can spread if swelling is left untreated, so do not wait for it to go away
We cannot give advice by phone that replaces an exam

Cost and coverage

An emergency visit is billed for the exam, any X-rays, and whatever is done that day to settle the problem, based on the Ontario Dental Association fee guide. Because the full fix is often done later, we keep the first visit focused and explain what further care would involve before going ahead. We bill all insurance plans directly. The Canadian Dental Care Plan lists emergency exams among its covered services, and we also accept IFHP. If you do not have coverage, ask about our in-house dental plan and student program. You will always get a written estimate before any planned follow-up treatment.

What shapes your estimate

The emergency exam and any X-rays
What is done that day, such as a temporary filling or draining an infection
Whether the tooth needs a root canal, crown or extraction later
Your insurance, CDCP or IFHP coverage for emergency care

After your visit

Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the package, and never place a pill against the gum
Use a cold pack on the cheek, not heat, for swelling
Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or hard food until your follow-up
Call us right away if swelling grows, you get a fever, or pain returns strongly

Questions

What should I do if an adult tooth is knocked out?

Act fast. Pick it up by the crown, not the root, and rinse it briefly with water without scrubbing. Try to put it back in the socket and bite gently on a cloth. If you cannot, keep it in a container of cold milk and call us right away.

What if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Do not try to put a baby tooth back in, as this can harm the adult tooth growing underneath. Press gently on the area with clean gauze to stop bleeding and call us. We will check for other damage to the teeth, lips and gums.

I broke a tooth. What should I do?

Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces. Hold a cold pack on your cheek if it is swollen. Call us as soon as possible, since many broken teeth can be repaired with a filling or crown.

My face is swollen. Is that an emergency?

Yes, swelling usually means infection and should be checked soon. Call us during opening hours. If the swelling is spreading toward your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Can you see me today?

We see emergency patients as soon as we can during opening hours, but we cannot promise a time until we know what is open that day. Call early in the day, tell us your symptoms, and we will give you the first suitable time.

What can I do when the clinic is closed?

Call (289) 475-5497 and follow the instructions on our line. You can also call Health811 at 811 (TTY 711) to speak with a registered nurse at any hour. For swelling that affects breathing, heavy bleeding, a possible broken jaw or a serious injury, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

Reviewed by the dentists at Aurora Gateway Dental Care. Last updated November 12, 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice.

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