Open Mon - Sat
Is this a dental emergency?
Any dental issue requiring immediate treatment to relieve pain or save a tooth is an emergency. If you're unsure, call — we'll tell you honestly.
Do not delay seeing a dentist. Waiting can make the issue worse, and in the case of infection, it can become a wider health problem.
- Severe or persistent toothache
- Facial or jaw swelling
- Infection, or a bad taste that won't go away
- A lost, loose, or fractured tooth
- A lost or dislodged crown or filling
- Bleeding or painful gums
- Injury to the mouth, lips, or tongue after a fall, collision, or sports impact
Call us immediately and we may be able to see you the same day.
604-670-1256 — Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
The emergencies we see most often.
1.
Toothache
Tooth pain is caused when the nerve in the root of the tooth is irritated. Infection, decay, injury, or the loss of a tooth are the most common causes. Pain may also occur after an extraction. Our team can help relieve urgent toothache with a same-day emergency appointment where availability allows.
2.
Facial swelling and abscess
Facial swelling has a range of causes including injury, allergic reaction, and dental infection. An abscessed tooth has a pocket of pus in the surrounding tissue — pus forms when the body fights a bacterial infection, and when it cannot drain, an abscess forms. Signs include red swollen gums, throbbing pain especially when chewing, a bad taste in the mouth, fever, and jaw swelling. An abscessed tooth needs to be treated by a dental professional right away; untreated, the infection could spread to other parts of your body. Treatment usually starts with antibiotics to stop the infection, and may involve root canal treatment to save the tooth. If those treatments do not work, the tooth may have to be removed.
3.
Lost or dislodged crowns and fillings
A filling restores the function, integrity, and shape of tooth structure lost to decay or trauma. Crown dislodgement happens when the cement washes out from underneath the crown. This doesn't just loosen the crown — it allows bacteria to leak in and cause decay to the remaining tooth structure underneath. A dislodged crown should be seen quickly, and if you still have the crown, bring it with you.
4
Fractured or cracked tooth
Tooth fracture usually results from traumatic injury to the teeth and oral structures. Cracks can be caused by chewing hard foods, biting down on hard objects, or being hit in the face. The predominant clinical features are sensitivity and pain in the fractured tooth. Depending on the degree of fracture, management includes restoring the tooth or root canal treatment. In severe cases the tooth may need to be removed to prevent infection. Untreated, a fracture can lead to pain, infection, or tooth loss.
5.
Dental trauma
Dental trauma is physical injury to the teeth, gums, the alveolar bone that holds the tooth sockets, or the soft tissue of the mouth including the lips and tongue. Most cases are caused by accidents — falls, vehicle collisions, and sports. Treatment depends on the nature of the injury. Any injury to the mouth and teeth should be examined by a dentist, especially if a tooth has become loose or damaged. Importantly, when one tooth is visibly damaged, neighbouring teeth may also have injuries that aren't visible without a dental exam.
6.
Gum pain
Gum pain can be a sign of irritation, infection, or injury to the gums and teeth. It's often a temporary symptom, but in other cases it requires dental treatment to prevent further health complications. If it persists, don't wait it out.
What to do before you get here.
General guidance only. Call us for advice specific to your situation.
1. For a knocked-out tooth
Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Do not scrub it. Keep it moist — in milk, or in your own saliva. Call us immediately; time matters a great deal with a knocked-out tooth.
2. For a lost crown or filling
Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you. Avoid chewing on that side. Call us to get in as soon as possible, because the exposed tooth structure underneath is vulnerable to decay.
3. For swelling
Call us right away. Facial swelling with dental pain can indicate infection that needs prompt treatment. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling around the eye, go to your nearest emergency department or call 911.
4. For a toothache
Rinse gently with warm water and keep the area clean. Over-the-counter pain relief may help temporarily. Call us — a toothache that has reached the nerve will not resolve on its own.
When to go to a hospital instead
If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, a suspected broken jaw, or swelling spreading toward your eye or neck, go to your nearest emergency department or call 911. For all other dental emergencies, call Lux Dental at 604-670-1256.
Why patients choose Lux Dental.
- Open six days a week — Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
- Same-day emergency appointments where availability allows
- A full team of dentists, so urgent cases can usually be accommodated.
- On-site diagnostics including CBCT imaging for complex cases.
- Central Downtown Vancouver location at 1631 Davie Street, convenient to the West End, Yaletown, and Coal Harbour.
Common questions about dental emergency.
Ready to get started?
Book a consultation at Lux Dental in Vancouver. We'll assess your situation, explain your options in plain language, and let you decide with no pressure.
No obligation. Open 6 days — Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
What to bring
- Your dental insurance information, or your CDCP details if you're covered
- Any records or x-rays from a previous dentist
- A list of any medications you're taking
- Your questions — all of them
