Emergency Dentist near Richmond Hill
When a tooth breaks or pain keeps you up at night, the first question is where to go. Here is how Richmond Hill residents can decide between calling us, a hospital and 911.
The short answer
Need an emergency dentist near Richmond Hill? Call Aurora Gateway Dental Care at 289-475-5497. Our clinic is in Aurora on Wellington Street East at Bayview Avenue, about 15 to 25 minutes north of Richmond Hill by Bayview, Yonge Street or Highway 404, depending on traffic. For swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or a serious injury, call 911.
Why Richmond Hill patients come to Aurora
Dental problems do not keep office hours, but our week includes some longer days. We are open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, so a tooth that cracks at dinner on a weeknight or during a Saturday game may still be seen during our hours. When you call, we book emergency patients as soon as we can. We cannot promise a time until we know what is open that day.
If we are closed, call 289-475-5497 and follow the instructions on our line. Once you are here, parking is right at the door, which matters when you are in pain. We bill all insurance plans directly and accept CDCP and IFHP, so you are not sorting out paperwork while your tooth throbs.
Dental emergency in Richmond Hill: who to call first
Matching the problem to the right place saves time and stress. Use this as a rough guide:
- Call us: a toothache, a cracked or chipped tooth, a lost filling or crown, a knocked-out adult tooth, or gum swelling without fever.
- Hospital emergency department: a possible broken jaw, a cut lip or tongue that keeps bleeding after firm pressure, or facial swelling with fever when we are closed. In Richmond Hill, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital has an emergency department.
- Call 911: swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, a head injury, or any injury where you are unsure of the person's safety.
- Not sure? Health811 connects you with a registered nurse at any hour. Call 811 (TTY 711).
Should you drive yourself?
A toothache alone rarely stops someone from driving. But if you feel faint, have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, or are holding pressure on a bleeding wound, ask someone else to drive. If a child is hurt, a second adult in the car can keep an eye on them while you focus on the road.
What we do at an urgent visit
The first goal is to find the cause and ease the pain. That may mean an X-ray, smoothing a sharp edge, a temporary filling, draining an infection or starting root canal treatment. Larger repairs, such as a crown, are often planned for a later visit. Before any further treatment, you get a written estimate and time to decide.
Getting here from Richmond Hill
| By car | Use the route you know well. Bayview Avenue north goes straight to Wellington Street East. From Yonge Street, keep going north into Aurora and turn east on Wellington. From the east end, Highway 404 north to the Wellington exit, then west about 3.5 km to Bayview Avenue. |
|---|---|
| By transit | Driving or getting a ride is usually fastest in an emergency. Transit is possible by Viva Blue on Yonge Street with a YRT connection along Wellington Street East (see yrt.ca), but it is slower when you are in pain. |
| Travel time | about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic |
| Parking | Free parking at the door |
| Good to know | Call before you leave home. We can tell you what to bring and what to do on the way, such as keeping a knocked-out tooth in cold milk. |
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Questions
Is it worth driving to Aurora for a dental emergency if I live in Richmond Hill?
That depends on what suits you. If you are already our patient, or you want a clinic open on Saturday or a weekday evening, the trip is short. Call us first so we can tell you when we can see you.
My face is swelling and it is getting worse. What should I do?
Spreading swelling needs attention soon. If it affects your breathing or swallowing, or is moving toward your eye, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Otherwise, call us right away during opening hours.
Can I go to the hospital for a toothache?
A hospital can manage pain, infection that is spreading and injuries to the jaw or face, but it usually cannot fix the tooth itself. You will still need a dentist afterwards. For tooth pain without serious swelling, start by calling us.
Do you see people who are not already your patients?
Yes, we see new patients for urgent problems as soon as we can during opening hours. Bring your insurance or CDCP details and a list of medicines you take.
What can I do for pain while I wait?
Over-the-counter pain relief taken as the package directs can help, along with a cold pack on the cheek. Never put a pill against the gum, and avoid very hot or cold food. Call us if pain or swelling grows.
General information, not personal medical advice. Last updated October 29, 2026.
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Request a visit
289-475-5497Prefer to type? Send a request and we'll contact you to confirm a time.
676 Wellington Street East, Unit 3
Aurora, ON L4G 0K3