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24-hour dental emergency line
Emergency dentist in Abbotsford
Toothache, broken tooth or swelling? Call us. During office hours our team will book you the soonest possible appointment. After hours, our 24-hour line connects you with a dental professional who can tell you what to do next.
Office hours: 604-853-3305
After hours, 24/7: 604-805-2500
Open six days a week, including Saturdays
Off Highway 1, beside Save-On-Foods
Urgent dental care
Dental pain does not wait for a convenient time
A toothache that wakes you at night, a snack that chips a tooth, a fall that knocks one out. Dental emergencies are stressful, and knowing who to call makes a real difference.
At Sumas Mountain Village Dental, our general dentists provide urgent dental care for children and adults in Abbotsford. Call us as early in the day as you can and we will book you the soonest possible appointment. If we are closed, the 24-hour dental emergency line at 604-805-2500 is answered by a dental professional who can help you understand what to do, and what not to do, until you can be seen.
Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling that is spreading to your eye, neck or under your jaw
- Bleeding that will not stop after 20 to 30 minutes of firm pressure
- A suspected broken jaw, or a blow to the head or face
- A high fever along with facial swelling
These can be medical emergencies that a dental office is not equipped to treat.
What to do right now
Common dental emergencies and first steps
Find your situation below, take these first steps, then call us so we can advise you properly.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Time matters. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance when it is treated quickly, ideally within the hour.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing end), not the root
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Do not scrub it
- If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth
- If not, keep it in milk or inside your cheek, and call us straight away
- Do not try to put a baby tooth back in. Call us for advice
Severe toothache
Ongoing or throbbing tooth pain usually means something needs treatment, such as deep decay, a crack or an infection.
- Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently around the tooth
- Hold a cold compress against your cheek
- Do not place aspirin or any painkiller directly on the gum
- If you take pain medication, follow the label or ask your pharmacist
Chipped, cracked or broken tooth
Damaged teeth that are not looked at can become painful or infected, even if they do not hurt yet.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Save any pieces you can find and bring them with you
- Use a cold compress on your face to help with swelling
- Avoid chewing on that side until you have been seen
Lost filling or crown
Having a lost filling or crown looked at promptly can help avoid further damage to the tooth.
- Keep the crown in a clean bag or container and bring it in
- Keep the area clean and avoid eating on that tooth
- Do not use household glue to put a crown back on
Abscess, swelling or infection
Pain, swelling, a bad taste or a pimple-like bump on the gum can be signs of infection, which needs treatment and will not clear on its own.
- Call us the same day so we can assess you
- Rinse gently with warm salt water
- Do not try to drain the swelling yourself
- If swelling is spreading or you feel unwell, go to the emergency room
Bleeding or a soft tissue injury
Cuts to the lips, cheeks, tongue or gums, or bleeding after an extraction.
- Press firmly on the area with clean gauze or a damp tea bag for 20 to 30 minutes
- Keep your head raised and avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully
- If the bleeding does not stop, go to the emergency room
This is general information and does not replace an assessment by a dentist. If you are not sure what to do, call us.
Your emergency visit
What happens when you call
Tell us what happened
We ask a few questions about your symptoms so we can judge how urgent it is and give you advice for the meantime.
We find you a time
We book the soonest possible appointment. Calling early in the day gives us the most options.
Assessment first
Your dentist examines the area and takes any X-rays needed to find the cause, then focuses on getting you out of pain.
Your options explained
We explain what we found, the treatment options and their costs. Some problems are treated that day; others need a follow-up visit.
How we can help
Urgent dental treatment
Depending on what we find, emergency care at our clinic may include:
- Treatment for toothaches and dental infections
- Repairs to chipped and broken teeth
- Replacing lost fillings and re-cementing crowns
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Care for knocked-out and loosened teeth
If you are anxious about treatment, ask us about sedation options. See also our restorative dentistry services.
After hours
24-hour dental emergency line
When you have a dental emergency and our office is closed, call 604-805-2500.
- You will speak with a dental professional, not a recording
- They help you understand what to do, and what not to do
- They help you book the soonest possible appointment
This service is available through our membership in 123Dentist, a network of community-based dental practices.
Insurance and payment
Paying for emergency dental care
Cost should not be the reason a dental problem gets worse. We explain the costs of your options before any treatment begins.
Dental insurance
Whenever possible we deal with your insurance company directly online, so you only pay the portion your plan does not cover. Coverage depends on your individual plan.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
The CDCP is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian residents with the cost of dental care. Eligibility and coverage are set by the Government of Canada.
Patient financing
If treatment is not covered, or only partly covered, flexible payment plans let you spread the cost over time. You can apply online in minutes.*
*Financing is subject to credit approval, terms and conditions.
Good to know
Dental emergency questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe or lasting tooth pain, a knocked-out or loosened tooth, a broken tooth, swelling in the gums or face, signs of infection, and bleeding that is hard to control all need prompt attention. If you are unsure, call us at 604-853-3305 and we will help you decide.
Should I go to the hospital or the dentist?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading, bleeding that will not stop, or a suspected broken jaw. For toothaches, broken teeth, lost fillings and most other dental problems, a dentist is the right place to be treated.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Hold the tooth by the crown, rinse it briefly if it is dirty, and place it back in the socket if you can. Otherwise keep it in milk or inside your cheek and see a dentist as quickly as possible, ideally within the hour. Do not put a baby tooth back in.
Can you see me today?
We will book you the soonest possible appointment. Call as early in the day as you can, as that gives us the most options. How quickly you are seen depends on how urgent the problem is and the schedule that day.
What if my emergency happens when you are closed?
Call the 24-hour dental emergency line at 604-805-2500. You will speak with a dental professional who can advise you on what to do and help you book the soonest possible appointment.
Do I need to be an existing patient?
No. We are accepting new patients, and you are welcome to call us with a dental emergency even if you have not visited before. See what to expect as a new patient.
My toothache went away. Do I still need to come in?
Yes, it is worth having it checked. Pain that stops on its own does not always mean the problem has gone, and an untreated infection can return or spread.
How much does an emergency dental visit cost?
It depends on what is needed. After your assessment we explain the treatment options and their costs before anything is done. We deal with insurance companies directly whenever possible, and patient financing is available on approved credit.
In pain? Call us now
The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can help. Phone is the fastest way to reach us in an emergency.
#110 – 2362 Whatcom Road, Abbotsford, BC V3G 0C1
Off Highway 1 near the Save-On-Foods in Sumas Mountain Village. Get directions
Please do not email about an emergency. Call us so we can help right away.
Office hours
| Monday | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:30 am – 6:30 pm |
| Thursday | Alternating 9:30 am – 5:30 pm and 10:30 am – 6:30 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Outside these hours, call the 24-hour dental emergency line at 604-805-2500. All of our dentists are general dentists.