Urgent dental concerns

Emergency Dentist in Pickering

Dental pain and injuries are easier to manage when you know what to do next. Pickering Square Dental assesses urgent concerns for patients in Pickering and nearby Durham Region communities, including toothaches, swelling, broken teeth, lost restorations, and dental trauma.

Call before coming in

Call (905) 420-1777 before coming to the office.

We will ask about your symptoms, provide immediate guidance where appropriate, and offer the earliest suitable appointment based on urgency and availability.

Call 911 instead for:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing Rapidly spreading swelling Heavy facial trauma Loss of consciousness

…or another potentially life-threatening symptom. A dental office is not a substitute for a hospital emergency department in those situations.

When should I call a dentist urgently?

Contact the office for any of these:

Significant or worsening tooth pain Facial or gum swelling A broken or knocked-out tooth Uncontrolled bleeding A dental injury A lost filling or crown with pain Signs of infection such as fever or a bad taste

Even when pain temporarily settles, the underlying problem may still need assessment.

What happens during an emergency dental visit?

The immediate goal is to identify the source of the problem and determine the safest next step. The dentist reviews your symptoms and health history, examines the area, and may recommend an X-ray or other diagnostic information. Treatment at that visit depends on the diagnosis, time available, complexity, consent, and your health.

Care may involve stabilizing a tooth, relieving a source of irritation, beginning treatment, discussing medication when clinically indicated, or planning a follow-up procedure or referral. We will explain what can be completed that day and what still needs attention.

What can I do while I wait?

These measures are temporary. They do not replace an examination.

Knocked-out adult tooth

Handle it by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in position; otherwise keep it moist and call immediately.

Do not reinsert a baby tooth.

Broken tooth

Save any pieces you can find, rinse gently, and avoid chewing on that side. A cold compress on the outside of the face may help with swelling.

Toothache

Rinse gently and clean between the teeth if food may be trapped.

Do not place aspirin or another medication directly against the gum.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the area clean and bring the restoration if you have it.

Do not use household glue.

Bleeding

Apply steady pressure with clean gauze. Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is heavy, will not slow, or follows major trauma.

Describe the symptoms clearly so the team can triage the request.

(905) 420-1777

Frequently asked questions about dental emergencies

This page is general guidance for urgent dental concerns and is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice. Appointment availability, what can be treated at a first visit, and any medication decisions are determined for your own case. For a potentially life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to an emergency department.

Can I get an emergency appointment today?

We prioritize urgent problems and offer the earliest appropriate appointment available, but a particular time or same-day visit cannot be guaranteed. Call as early as possible and describe the symptoms clearly so the team can triage the request.

Should I go to a hospital or a dentist?

A dentist is usually the appropriate first call for isolated tooth pain, a broken tooth, or a lost restoration. Go to an emergency department or call 911 for breathing or swallowing difficulty, rapidly spreading swelling, severe facial trauma, heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, or other serious medical symptoms.

Will antibiotics stop a toothache?

Antibiotics are not a substitute for diagnosis or dental treatment and are not appropriate for every toothache. The dentist must assess the cause and decide whether medication is indicated. Do not use leftover medication or someone else's prescription.

What should I bring?

Bring identification, dental-benefit or CDCP information, a current medication and allergy list, and any broken tooth fragment or lost restoration. Tell us about pregnancy, medical conditions, and recent treatment that may affect care.

Related care

For an urgent dental concern, call the office. For non-urgent appointment requests, use the contact page.

Urgent dental concerns
Emergency Dentist in Pickering
Call (905) 420-1777
Call before coming in

Call before coming to the office.

We will ask about your symptoms, provide immediate guidance where appropriate, and offer the earliest suitable appointment based on urgency and availability.

Dental pain and injuries are easier to manage when you know what to do next. Pickering Square Dental assesses urgent concerns for patients in Pickering and nearby Durham Region communities, including toothaches, swelling, broken teeth, lost restorations, and dental trauma.

Non-urgent request

Call 911 instead for:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing Rapidly spreading swelling Heavy facial trauma Loss of consciousness

…or another potentially life-threatening symptom. A dental office is not a substitute for a hospital emergency department in those situations.

When should I call a dentist urgently?

Contact the office for any of these:

Significant or worsening tooth pain Facial or gum swelling A broken or knocked-out tooth Uncontrolled bleeding A dental injury A lost filling or crown with pain Signs of infection such as fever or a bad taste

Even when pain temporarily settles, the underlying problem may still need assessment.

What happens during an emergency dental visit?

The immediate goal is to identify the source of the problem and determine the safest next step. The dentist reviews your symptoms and health history, examines the area, and may recommend an X-ray or other diagnostic information. Treatment at that visit depends on the diagnosis, time available, complexity, consent, and your health.

Care may involve stabilizing a tooth, relieving a source of irritation, beginning treatment, discussing medication when clinically indicated, or planning a follow-up procedure or referral. We will explain what can be completed that day and what still needs attention.

What can I do while I wait?

These measures are temporary. They do not replace an examination.

Knocked-out adult tooth

Handle it by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in position; otherwise keep it moist and call immediately.

Do not reinsert a baby tooth.

Broken tooth

Save any pieces you can find, rinse gently, and avoid chewing on that side. A cold compress on the outside of the face may help with swelling.

Toothache

Rinse gently and clean between the teeth if food may be trapped.

Do not place aspirin or another medication directly against the gum.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the area clean and bring the restoration if you have it.

Do not use household glue.

Bleeding

Apply steady pressure with clean gauze. Seek urgent medical help if bleeding is heavy, will not slow, or follows major trauma.

Describe the symptoms clearly so the team can triage the request.

(905) 420-1777

Frequently asked questions about dental emergencies

This page is general guidance for urgent dental concerns and is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice. Appointment availability, what can be treated at a first visit, and any medication decisions are determined for your own case. For a potentially life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to an emergency department.

Can I get an emergency appointment today?

We prioritize urgent problems and offer the earliest appropriate appointment available, but a particular time or same-day visit cannot be guaranteed. Call as early as possible and describe the symptoms clearly so the team can triage the request.

Should I go to a hospital or a dentist?

A dentist is usually the appropriate first call for isolated tooth pain, a broken tooth, or a lost restoration. Go to an emergency department or call 911 for breathing or swallowing difficulty, rapidly spreading swelling, severe facial trauma, heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, or other serious medical symptoms.

Will antibiotics stop a toothache?

Antibiotics are not a substitute for diagnosis or dental treatment and are not appropriate for every toothache. The dentist must assess the cause and decide whether medication is indicated. Do not use leftover medication or someone else's prescription.

What should I bring?

Bring identification, dental-benefit or CDCP information, a current medication and allergy list, and any broken tooth fragment or lost restoration. Tell us about pregnancy, medical conditions, and recent treatment that may affect care.

Related care

For an urgent dental concern, call the office. For non-urgent appointment requests, use the contact page.

Canadian Dental Care Plan

NOW ACCEPTING CDCP PATIENTS • ALL AGES

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is now open to eligible Canadian residents of every age, and applications for the 2026–2027 benefit year are open. You may qualify if your adjusted family net income is under $90,000, you have no access to private dental insurance, you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and you have filed your latest tax return. Pickering Square Dental welcomes CDCP patients — cleanings, exams, fillings, and more.

Open to All Ages
Family Net Income Under $90,000
No Private Dental Insurance