The short answer: In a dental emergency, call Canandaigua Dentistry at Call (585) 394-5230. We help both new and current patients, and if we're closed, our after-hours message gives you a number to reach Dr. Hallstead. Go to the emergency room instead if you have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop, or a serious face, jaw or head injury.
Nobody plans for a dental emergency. They tend to show up at the worst moment: halfway through Thanksgiving dinner, during a backyard football game, or the night before a trip. The good news is that most are very fixable, especially when you know what to do in the first few minutes. Here's a simple guide to help you stay calm and protect your smile.
Is it a dental emergency or should I go to the ER?
Most tooth problems should go to your dentist first, but a few need the emergency room. Call 911 or go to the ER if you have:
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- Bleeding that won't stop
- A serious injury to your face, jaw or head
For nearly everything else, from a throbbing toothache to a chipped front tooth, call us first.
Common dental emergencies at a glance
Here's a quick rundown of the most common dental emergencies and how soon to call us:
- Knocked-out adult tooth: Hold it by the crown, rinse it briefly, and put it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Don't brush it. Call right away.
- Swelling or a bump on the gums: Rinse with warm salt water. Call the same day.
- Chipped or broken tooth: Save the pieces, rinse, press gauze on any bleeding, and use a cold compress. Call the same day.
- Toothache: Rinse with warm water, floss gently, and use a cold compress for swelling. Call as soon as you can.
- Lost filling or crown: Keep the crown in a zip-top plastic bag or a pill bottle and chew on the other side. Don't wrap it in a tissue, since you might throw it away by accident. Call as soon as you can.
These steps help you feel better and prevent more damage, but they aren't a fix. You'll still need to see a dentist to treat the cause.
What should I do for a toothache?
Rinse your mouth with warm water, floss gently to remove any trapped food, and hold a cold compress on your cheek if it's swollen. Don't put aspirin or other pain relievers directly on the tooth or gums, since they can burn the tissue. Then call us so we can find out what's causing the pain.
What should I do if I chip or break a tooth?
Save any pieces you can find and rinse them, along with your mouth, in warm water. If there's bleeding, press gauze on the spot for about 10 minutes, and use a cold compress on your cheek to keep swelling down. Call us to get it repaired.
What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?
Call us right away, because acting quickly gives you the best chance of saving the tooth. Pick it up by the crown (the chewing part), never the root. Don't brush it. Rinse it briefly with water without scrubbing or removing any tissue, then gently put it back in the socket and hold it there. If you can't, keep it in a small container of milk and bring it with you. Never try to put a baby tooth back in.
What should I do if I lose a filling or crown?
Keep the crown if you have it and bring it to your appointment. Store it in a zip-top plastic bag or a pill bottle. Don't wrap it in a tissue, since you might throw it away by accident. Chew on the other side of your mouth until we can see you, and call us to schedule a repair.
Is swelling or a bump on my gums an emergency?
It can be. Swelling or a gum bump may be a sign of infection, which can become serious. Rinse a few times with warm salt water (about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) and call us. If the swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, go to the ER.
How do I reach an emergency dentist in Canandaigua, NY?
Call Canandaigua Dentistry at Call (585) 394-5230. Here's how it works:
- During office hours (Monday to Thursday, 7AM–3PM): Tell us what happened, when it started, and whether you have pain, swelling, bleeding or a knocked-out tooth. That helps us decide how soon you need to be seen.
- After hours: Call the same number. Our after-hours message will give you an emergency number to reach Dr. Hallstead.
- Not a patient yet? That's okay. We see new and current patients for dental emergencies.
You can find more first-aid tips on our Emergency Dental Care page.
What happens at an emergency dental visit?
Dr. Hallstead examines the tooth to find the cause, then explains your options before any treatment starts. Depending on what we find, that might be a filling to repair decay, a crown to protect a weakened tooth, a root canal to save an infected tooth, or a gentle extraction when a tooth can't be saved. We'll make sure there are no surprises.
How can I prevent a dental emergency?
You can't prevent every accident, but a few habits lower the odds:
- Wear a mouthguard for sports.
- Skip chewing ice, hard candy and popcorn kernels.
- Use scissors, not your teeth, to open packages.
- Keep up with regular checkups, where we can catch a cracked filling or weak spot before it becomes an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Do you treat dental emergencies for new patients?
Yes. Canandaigua Dentistry helps both new and current patients with tooth pain, injuries and other dental emergencies. Call Call (585) 394-5230.
What if my dental emergency happens on a weekend or at night?
Call Call (585) 394-5230 anyway. When the office is closed, our after-hours message gives you an emergency number to reach Dr. Hallstead.
Should I go to the emergency room for a toothache?
Usually not. Call your dentist first, since a dentist can treat the cause of the pain. Go to the ER if you have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won't stop, or a serious injury to the face, jaw or head.
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Often, yes, if you act fast. Handle the tooth by the crown, keep it in the socket or in milk, and get to a dentist as quickly as possible.
Where is Canandaigua Dentistry located?
We're at 3240 Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424 (opens in new tab), and we care for patients from Canandaigua, Victor and across the Finger Lakes.
Do you offer discounts or payment options?
Yes. We offer discounts for seniors, veterans and active duty service members, and we accept financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit.
Your neighborhood dentist since 1957
Dr. Hallstead's family has cared for smiles in Canandaigua since 1957, and handling the unexpected is part of being your neighborhood dentist. If you're ever unsure whether something counts as an emergency, just call. We'd much rather hear from you early and help you feel better sooner.
Canandaigua Dentistry
Dr. Geoffry E. Hallstead, DMD
3240 Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424 (opens in new tab)
Call (585) 394-5230
Monday to Thursday, 7AM–3PM
Contact us