Quick Answer: You need an emergency dentist in London if you have severe tooth pain, a knocked-out or cracked tooth, swelling, or bleeding that won’t stop. Call Northwest Family Dental at 1600 Hyde Park Rd. first, because the team keeps time for same-day emergency visits. However, if swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, go straight to a hospital emergency department.
Something has gone wrong in your mouth and you need help now. Maybe a tooth cracked at dinner, or a dull ache turned into throbbing pain overnight. Finding an emergency dentist in London quickly matters, because many dental problems get harder to fix with every hour. This guide covers three things. First, how to tell whether your problem is urgent. Next, who to call in London. Finally, what happens once you arrive at Northwest Family Dental.
How Do You Know If You Need an Emergency Dentist in London?
You need urgent dental care if you have pain, damage, or infection that can’t safely wait for a regular appointment. According to the Canadian Dental Association’s page on dental emergencies, problems like knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, and severe toothaches need prompt attention from a dentist.
Call a dentist today if you have:
- A permanent tooth that has been knocked out or pushed out of place
- A cracked or broken tooth, especially one with sharp pain
- A severe toothache that keeps you awake or doesn’t ease with pain relievers
- Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw, which can signal an infection
- A lost filling or crown that leaves the tooth sensitive or exposed
- Bleeding after an extraction or injury that won’t slow down
Go to the hospital instead if:
Some situations go beyond a dental office. For example, facial swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck needs hospital care. Likewise, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever with swelling, or a suspected broken jaw all belong in an emergency department. In London, that means University Hospital or Victoria Hospital.
On the other hand, some problems can wait a day or two. A small chip with no pain, mild sensitivity, or a loose orthodontic wire is usually not urgent. Still, call us so we can help you decide.
Is There a 24 Hour Emergency Dentist in London?
Many people search for a “24 hour emergency dentist London” late at night. In reality, most London dental offices, ours included, do not staff the clinic around the clock. Instead, the faster route is usually a same-day visit with a dentist you can reach early the next morning.
Northwest Family Dental is open evenings until 7 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. We also open two Saturdays per month, which helps when emergencies hit on a weekend. Our long-time patients often mention how quickly we fit them in for same-day emergency care. So, if your problem starts after hours, manage it at home and call us as soon as we open.
Meanwhile, you can call Health811 (Ontario’s free health line) for overnight advice. However, if your symptoms match the hospital list above, don’t wait for morning.
What to Do Right Now, Before Your Visit
The right first aid depends on what happened. These steps can protect your tooth and ease pain until you see us.
Knocked-out tooth
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently, but don’t scrub it. Then try to place it back in the socket. If that isn’t possible, keep it in milk and get to a dentist within an hour if you can. Speed really does matter here.
Severe toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove trapped food. Additionally, a cold compress on your cheek can reduce swelling. Never put aspirin directly on your gums, because it can burn the tissue. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help in the meantime. In fact, a 2025 randomized trial in Scientific Reports compared two combination pain medications for acute dental pain from an inflamed, partly erupted wisdom tooth. That said, pain relief only buys time. It doesn’t treat the cause.
Broken tooth or lost crown
Save any pieces and rinse your mouth. Also, cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax. If your crown came off, bring it with you, since we may be able to re-cement it.
What Happens at Your Emergency Dental Visit
Your first goal at the appointment is relief, and your second is a clear plan. Here’s how a typical emergency visit at our Hyde Park Road office unfolds.
First, our front desk team gets you in as quickly as possible. Next, your dentist asks what happened and examines the area. Most emergencies also need digital X-rays, because they show cracks, infections, and root damage the eye can’t see.
After that, your dentist explains what they found in plain language. Our dentists take time to walk you through your options, so you never feel rushed into a decision. Then treatment starts, often during the same visit.
Common emergency treatments
The treatment depends on the cause. A deep infection or damaged nerve often calls for root canal therapy, which removes the infected tissue and saves the natural tooth. Similarly, a broken tooth may need a filling, bonding, or a crown. When a tooth can’t be saved, an extraction may be the best option. The Ontario Dental Association’s overview of common dental procedures explains many of these treatments in more detail.
Because we offer oral surgery, implants, and sedation in the same office, you won’t need a referral elsewhere for most follow-up care. For example, if you lose a tooth, we can plan a replacement right here. Anxious patients can also ask about nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation.
After your visit
Before you leave, you’ll receive aftercare instructions and, if needed, a follow-up appointment. Our dentists also check in with patients after treatment. Consequently, you’ll know what normal healing looks like and when to call back.
Choosing an Emergency Dentist in London You Can Trust
The best time to find an emergency dentist is before you need one. Families across northwest London have trusted our team for more than a decade, often across several generations. As a result, when an emergency happens, many of our patients already know who to call.
We follow Canadian Dental Association guidelines, and our dentists, hygienists, and assistants work together to keep you comfortable. Whether it’s your child’s chipped tooth or your own sudden toothache, you’ll get the same patient-first care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment in London, ON?
Yes. Northwest Family Dental keeps time for same-day emergency visits. Call as early as possible so we can find you the soonest opening.
Should I go to the hospital or a dentist for tooth pain?
For most toothaches, a dentist is the right choice, because hospitals usually can’t repair teeth. However, go to the hospital if you have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or a jaw injury.
What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?
Hold it by the crown, rinse it gently, and try to put it back in the socket. Otherwise, store it in milk and see a dentist within an hour if possible.
Is Northwest Family Dental open on weekends?
Yes, we open two Saturdays per month. We also offer evening hours until 7 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Get Emergency Dental Care in London Today
Don’t wait for a dental problem to get worse. If you need an emergency dentist in London, call Northwest Family Dental at 1600 Hyde Park Rd. We’ll see you quickly, ease your pain, and explain every step. Contact our office now to book your emergency visit.
