Dental emergencies
Toothache: emergency relief in Valleyfield and Vaudreuil-Dorion
A toothache is pain coming from a tooth or the tissues around it, most often caused by a deep cavity, an infected nerve, an abscess, a crack, gum disease or a wisdom tooth. It is treated as an emergency: an exam and an X-ray identify the cause, and the dentist relieves the pain at the first visit in most cases.
At a glance
| Time to treatment | Same day: 7 days a week in Valleyfield, Monday to Friday in Vaudreuil-Dorion |
| Emergency exam | Targeted exam + X-ray |
| Relief | At the first visit in most cases |
| Pain relief while waiting | Ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen as indicated |
| Avoid | Heat on the cheek, aspirin on the gum, waiting for it to pass |
Offered in Valleyfield and Vaudreuil-Dorion, 7 days a week in Valleyfield and Monday to Friday in Vaudreuil-Dorion. Phone: 514-533-3368.
Toothache (severe tooth pain): what you need to know
Tooth pain rarely comes without reason. A cavity that has reached the dentin hurts with cold and sweets; an inflamed nerve throbs and keeps you awake; an abscess causes pressure and swelling; a crack hurts when you bite; an erupting wisdom tooth aches at the back of the jaw. The type of pain tells the dentist where to look, and an X-ray confirms it.
At Go Dentiste, a toothache is seen the same day at our Valleyfield clinic, seven days a week, and at our Vaudreuil-Dorion clinic, Monday to Friday. The emergency visit includes a targeted exam and an X-ray, immediate relief (removing the decay, opening the tooth, draining, adjusting the bite) and a plan for the definitive treatment. Waiting for the pain to pass usually leads to a bigger problem.
Common causes of toothache
- A deep cavity: sharp pain with cold, sweets or when food gets stuck
- Pulpitis (inflamed nerve): throbbing pain, worse at night and when lying down
- Abscess: pressure, swelling, pain when chewing, sometimes fever
- Cracked tooth: sharp pain when biting or releasing
- Gum disease or a gum abscess: dull pain, bleeding, tender gums
- Erupting or impacted wisdom tooth: pain at the back of the jaw, sometimes radiating to the ear
How the treatment works, step by step
1. While waiting for your appointment
Take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen as indicated on the package, rinse with warm salt water, keep your head elevated and avoid heat on the cheek.
2. Emergency exam
The dentist asks about the type, timing and triggers of the pain, then examines the tooth, the gum and the bite.
3. Diagnosis
Cold, percussion and bite tests plus an X-ray identify the tooth and the cause.
4. Immediate relief
Depending on the cause: removing the decay and placing a sedative filling, opening the tooth and removing the nerve, draining an abscess, adjusting the bite or cleaning around a wisdom tooth.
5. Definitive treatment
A filling, a root canal, a crown, an extraction or periodontal treatment is done the same day when possible, or scheduled shortly after.
6. Prevention
The dentist explains how to avoid a recurrence: regular check-ups, treating other cavities, a night guard or a mouthguard.
Benefits
- Relief the same day, without waiting for the weekend to end
- The cause is identified, not just the symptom
- A small problem treated early avoids a root canal or an extraction
- No need for a hospital emergency room, which cannot treat the tooth
- New patients accepted without an existing file
After the treatment: advice
- Take the recommended pain relievers for the first 24 to 48 hours after the emergency treatment
- Avoid chewing on the treated side until the definitive treatment is done
- If a temporary filling was placed, avoid sticky foods and keep the follow-up appointment
- Finish any prescribed antibiotics even if the pain is gone
- Call us if the pain returns or increases after 48 hours
Alternatives and options
Over-the-counter pain relievers and salt-water rinses ease the pain for a few hours but do not treat the cause. Clove oil can numb the gum briefly. Antibiotics are useful only for spreading infections and never replace treatment of the tooth. Hospital emergency departments can help with severe swelling or when no dentist is available, but they refer you back to a dentist for the tooth.
Toothache (severe tooth pain) in Valleyfield and Vaudreuil-Dorion
Go Dentiste Valleyfield
Address:
785 Monseigneur-Langlois Boulevard
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec J6S 0B1
Opening hours
| MondayMon | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
|---|---|
| TuesdayTue | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| WednesdayWed | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| ThursdayThu | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| FridayFri | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| SaturdaySat | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
| SundaySun | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Phone: 514-533-3368
Go Dentiste Vaudreuil-Dorion
Address:
275 Harwood Boulevard
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec J7V 1Y3
Opening hours
| MondayMon | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
|---|---|
| TuesdayTue | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| WednesdayWed | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| ThursdayThu | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| FridayFri | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| SaturdaySat | Closed |
| SundaySun | Closed |
Phone: 514-533-3368
Frequently asked questions about toothache
How can I calm a toothache at night?
Take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen as indicated on the package, sleep with your head elevated, avoid very hot or cold foods and rinse with warm salt water. Call us first thing in the morning; we keep emergency slots every day, including weekends in Valleyfield.
Why does my tooth hurt with cold?
Cold sensitivity comes from exposed dentin: a cavity, a worn filling, a crack, receding gums or recent whitening. Brief sensitivity is usually manageable; pain that lingers for more than 30 seconds suggests an inflamed nerve and needs an exam.
My pain went away on its own: is the problem solved?
Not necessarily. When an inflamed nerve dies, the pain can stop for days or weeks while the infection develops silently into an abscess. Have the tooth checked even if it no longer hurts.
Can a toothache come from my sinuses?
Yes. A sinus infection can make the upper back teeth ache, especially when bending forward. The dentist tests the teeth to rule out a dental cause before attributing the pain to the sinuses.
Can I take antibiotics while waiting?
Only if a dentist or physician has prescribed them for a spreading infection. Antibiotics do not relieve pain from a cavity or a cracked tooth and do not replace treatment.
How much does an emergency exam cost?
The emergency exam and X-ray are billed at the rates suggested by the Ordre des dentistes du Québec, and any treatment is estimated in writing before it is done. Most insurance plans and the CDCP cover emergency care; the RAMQ covers emergency exams for children under 10.
Related treatments
See also: Dental emergencies · All our dental services · Emergency dentist
Book an appointment in Valleyfield or Vaudreuil-Dorion
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Content prepared by the Go Dentiste team (Dr Dominic Morel-Maynard, general dentist and owner). Last updated: September 25, 2026. General information for guidance only: only an in-clinic exam can establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan suited to your situation.