Emergency Dentist in Thunder Bay: What to Do Before You Get Here

A cracked tooth or sudden swelling is frightening. Here is exactly what to do in the first hour — and how to reach us for a same-day emergency appointment.

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient hour. Whether you are in Westfort, Current River or Fort William, the first hour matters — the right steps at home can save a tooth and keep pain manageable until you reach our chair.

Call us first, even if you are not sure it is an emergency

Our front desk keeps room in the daily schedule for urgent care. Call 807-622-9848 and describe what happened. If we can see you the same day, we will tell you on the phone rather than leaving you guessing.

Knocked-out adult tooth

• —Pick the tooth up by the crown — never the root.
• —Rinse gently with milk or saline. Do not scrub it.
• —If you can, slot it back into the socket and bite softly on clean gauze.
• —If you cannot, keep it in milk (not water) and get to us within the hour.

Severe toothache or swelling

Rinse with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the package, and hold a cold compress against your cheek in 15-minute intervals. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum — it burns the tissue.

Facial swelling that spreads toward your eye or under your jaw, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing is a hospital matter. Go to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre emergency department first, then call us for follow-up treatment.

Chipped tooth, lost filling or lost crown

• —Save any pieces and bring them with you.
• —Cover a sharp edge with a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax so it does not cut your tongue.
• —Avoid chewing on that side and skip very hot or very cold food.

What emergency care costs

We bill your plan directly wherever possible, including CDCP and NIHB, and you get a written estimate before treatment starts. See our insurance and fees page for the plans we work with.