A dental emergency almost never picks a convenient moment. It’s the cracked molar on a slice of crusty bread at Sunday dinner, the tooth that goes from “a bit sensitive” to throbbing at 9 p.m., or the kid who takes an elbow at the park by Highgate Village and comes up holding a tooth. In the moment, the hardest part is often just knowing what to do first — and whether it can wait until morning.

At Burnaby South Dental, our Highgate clinic at 6975 Kingsway sees these situations every week, and here’s the reassuring part: most dental emergencies can be settled quickly once you’re in the chair, and a few calm minutes of first aid at home can make a real difference to the outcome. This guide walks you through what actually counts as a dental emergency, what to do in the first few minutes, and how to get seen fast — whether you’re in Highgate, Middlegate, Edmonds, or anywhere across South Burnaby.

What counts as a dental emergency?

Not every ache means you need to be seen today, and knowing the difference saves you a stressful night of worrying. As a rule of thumb, call us right away if you have severe or worsening pain, bleeding that won’t stop, a knocked-out or loosened adult tooth, significant facial swelling, or a broken tooth with a sharp edge or exposed nerve. These are the situations where getting in quickly protects the tooth and eases the pain fastest.

Some things feel alarming but can usually wait a day or two for a regular appointment: a lost filling or crown with no pain, a small chip that isn’t sharp, or mild sensitivity to hot and cold. When in doubt, call us at (604) 540-6000 and describe what’s happening — we’d always rather you check than tough it out through a sleepless night.

One important exception: if you have swelling that’s spreading toward your eye or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a fever alongside dental pain, that can signal a serious infection. Treat it as a medical emergency and go to the nearest hospital or call 911 — those symptoms are beyond what any dental office can safely manage on its own.

First aid for common dental emergencies

While you’re arranging to be seen, a few simple steps can protect the tooth and keep you comfortable.

A knocked-out adult tooth is the true race-against-the-clock emergency, because the sooner it’s back in place, the better the chance of saving it. Pick the tooth up by the crown — the white part you chew with — never the root. Rinse it gently with milk or water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue. If you can, slip it back into the socket and bite down softly on a clean cloth. If that isn’t possible, keep it in a small container of milk (or tuck it inside your cheek) and get to us as fast as you can. A tooth reimplanted within the first hour has by far the best odds.

A cracked or broken tooth calls for a warm-water rinse to clean the area, a cold compress on the cheek to control swelling, and saving any pieces you can find in a little milk or water. Avoid chewing on that side until we’ve had a look.

A toothache often responds to gentle rinsing with warm salt water and carefully flossing to dislodge any trapped food. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed can help — but never place aspirin directly against the sore gum or tooth, as it can burn the tissue and make things worse.

A lost filling or crown is usually more nuisance than crisis. Keep the crown safe, avoid chewing on that side, and call us to get it re-cemented before the exposed tooth becomes sensitive or damaged.

How fast can I be seen at your Highgate clinic?

We hold time in our schedule for urgent cases, and we do our best to see genuine emergencies the same day. If you call when we’re open — Monday through Saturday — describe your symptoms and we’ll get you in as quickly as we can. Being located right on Kingsway makes us easy to reach from Middlegate, Edmonds Station, Royal Oak, and Metrotown, whether you’re driving or hopping off the bus.

If a problem flares up after hours, call and follow the instructions on our message so we can guide you on what to do overnight and get you booked first thing. For anything involving heavy bleeding, spreading swelling, or trouble breathing, don’t wait — head to the nearest emergency room.

What emergency treatment usually involves — and what it costs

The goal of an emergency visit is always the same: stop the pain, control any infection, and stabilize the tooth. What that looks like depends on the problem. A painful, deeply infected tooth may need root canal therapy to save it; a badly broken tooth might be repaired with a filling or crown through our general dentistry services; and a tooth that can’t be saved may need a gentle extraction. Sometimes the first visit is simply about relief and a short course of antibiotics, with the full repair scheduled once you’re comfortable.

Cost is understandably on people’s minds in an emergency, and we believe in being upfront. We’ll always explain what a treatment involves and what it costs before we begin — no surprises when you’re already stressed. If you’re covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), emergency and diagnostic services, extractions, and root canals are among the treatments it can help with. We’re happy to accept CDCP and bill Sun Life directly wherever possible; our full CDCP guide explains who qualifies and how it works.

How to avoid the next emergency

Plenty of dental emergencies start as small problems that were quietly ignored. That tooth that’s been “a little sensitive” for a month, or the old filling that’s been crumbling, is often the one that gives out at the worst possible time. The most reliable way to avoid a 9 p.m. toothache is a regular checkup and cleaning, where we catch the small stuff before it becomes urgent. If you play summer sports, a custom mouthguard is a cheap insurance policy for your front teeth, and a little care with hard foods, ice, and using your teeth as scissors goes a long way.

Don’t wait it out — call your Burnaby emergency dentist

If you’re in pain right now, the best thing you can do is call. Dental problems rarely improve on their own, and early care almost always means a simpler, more comfortable fix.

📞 Call (604) 540-6000
📍 6975 Kingsway #2, Burnaby, BC V5E 1E5 — in the heart of Highgate, minutes from Middlegate, Edmonds, and Metrotown
🦷 Book online — new, emergency, and CDCP patients always welcome
🕐 Open Monday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I knock out a tooth in Burnaby?

Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with milk or water without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it in milk or inside your cheek and get to a dentist immediately — ideally within an hour. Then call us at (604) 540-6000.

Do you offer same-day emergency dental appointments?

We reserve time for urgent cases and aim to see genuine dental emergencies the same day whenever possible. Call us as early as you can during our Monday-to-Saturday hours and describe your symptoms so we can prioritize your visit.

How do I know if my toothache is an emergency?

Severe or worsening pain, bleeding that won’t stop, a knocked-out or loose adult tooth, facial swelling, or a broken tooth with an exposed nerve should be seen right away. Mild sensitivity or a lost filling with no pain can usually wait a day or two. When unsure, call us and we’ll help you decide.

Does CDCP cover emergency dental care?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan can help cover many urgent treatments, including exams, X-rays, extractions, and root canals. We accept CDCP at our Highgate clinic and bill Sun Life directly wherever possible. Bring your member card and confirmation letter to your visit.

Where is your emergency dentist located in Burnaby?

We’re at 6975 Kingsway #2 in the Highgate area of Burnaby, easy to reach from Middlegate, Edmonds, Royal Oak, and Metrotown. Call (604) 540-6000 to be seen.

This blog is for general information only and is not a substitute for an exam by a licensed dentist. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial swelling, or a fever with dental pain, seek medical care immediately or call 911.