What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is a problem that requires prompt assessment to relieve pain, reduce complications or help preserve a tooth. Severe pain, infection, prolonged bleeding and dental trauma should not be ignored.

In Montreal, contact a dental clinic as soon as a concerning symptom appears. Only an examination can identify the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

When should you contact a dentist quickly?

Seek prompt dental advice if you have:

• severe or persistent tooth pain, especially pain that disturbs sleep;
• swelling of the gums, face or jaw;
• an abscess, drainage or a persistent bad taste;
• a broken, displaced or knocked-out tooth;
• heavy or prolonged bleeding;
• a damaged filling, crown or restoration accompanied by pain;
• significant pain after dental treatment.

Tooth decay may progress without symptoms at first. When pain begins, the problem may already be more advanced, so it is best not to wait until it becomes unbearable.

When is medical emergency care needed?

Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency department if swelling interferes with breathing or swallowing, an infection appears to be spreading quickly, major trauma affects the face or jaw, or heavy bleeding cannot be controlled.

What can you do while waiting?

• Rinse your mouth gently with lukewarm water.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek if there is swelling or trauma.
• Avoid chewing on the painful side.
• Keep any tooth or broken fragment and bring it to the appointment.
• Follow a healthcare professional’s advice regarding medication.

Do not place aspirin directly on a tooth or gum, and do not attempt a home repair.

What if a permanent tooth is knocked out?

Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly and gently without scrubbing. If it cannot be placed back easily, keep it in milk and contact a dentist or emergency service immediately. Never reinsert a baby tooth.

Why is a dental examination important?

Similar pain can have different causes, including deep decay, nerve inflammation, infection, a crack, gum disease or trauma. A dentist can examine the mouth and, when indicated, take X-rays to establish a diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

Antibiotics do not necessarily replace treatment of the underlying dental cause. A clinical assessment remains essential.

Emergency dentist in Old Montreal

Les Dentistes du Vieux-Port de Montréal welcomes patients from Old Montreal, Griffintown, Cité du Multimédia, downtown Montreal, Ville-Marie and other Montreal neighbourhoods. If you have pain, swelling, a broken tooth or another urgent concern, contact our team. We will explain the next step and check appointment availability.

Frequently asked questions

Can a toothache go away on its own?

Pain may decrease temporarily even when the cause remains. Persistent or recurring pain should be assessed.

Is a painless broken tooth urgent?

It may not always require immediate treatment, but it should be evaluated to reduce the risk of further damage, sensitivity or soft-tissue injury.

Can I wait with facial swelling?

Swelling may be related to an infection and can worsen. Contact a dentist promptly. If breathing or swallowing is affected, seek emergency medical care.

Request an appointment

For a dental emergency in Montreal, contact Les Dentistes du Vieux-Port so our team can assess the situation and guide you toward the appropriate next step.

Why prepare for your first dental visit?

A first visit is an opportunity to meet the dental team, explain your needs and discuss your oral health. Located in Old Montreal, Les Dentistes du Vieux-Port welcomes new patients from across Montreal. Preparing in advance can make the appointment easier and help you share relevant information with the team.

What should you bring?

Bring your dental insurance information if applicable and an up-to-date list of medications. Tell the team about allergies, relevant medical history and recent changes in your health. If you have recent dental X-rays, ask your former clinic how they can be transferred securely.

What information should you share?

Explain the main reason for your appointment, even if it seems minor: pain, sensitivity, discomfort, bleeding gums, an aesthetic concern or simply the wish to establish ongoing care. Let the team know if dental visits make you anxious. Clear communication helps the dentist understand your priorities and tailor the conversation to your situation.

What usually happens during a first consultation?

The first visit includes a comprehensive examination and a cleaning. The comprehensive examination may include a discussion of your medical and dental history, an examination of the mouth, teeth, gums, soft tissues and bony structures surrounding the teeth, as well as a panoramic X-ray and any intraoral X-rays the dentist considers necessary. The cleaning includes scaling, all classes and units combined, prophylaxis and polishing including air polishing with sodium bicarbonate powder, fluoride treatment, and an oral hygiene demonstration. The observations and possible next steps are then explained. General information cannot replace a personalized assessment by a dental professional.

What questions can you ask?

You may ask which findings should be addressed first, what options could be considered, the benefits and limitations of each option, how many appointments may be needed, and which costs or insurance details should be verified. Ask for further explanation whenever something is unclear.

Feeling nervous before your appointment?

Mention it when booking or when you arrive. You can write down your questions and allow extra travel time. Our Old Montreal location is close to Griffintown, the Cité du Multimédia, downtown Montreal and Ville-Marie.

Ready to plan your first visit?

Our team welcomes new patients regardless of where they live or work. Contact Les Dentistes du Vieux-Port to discuss your needs and request an appointment.

Cavities Often Begin Silently

A cavity usually starts on the outer surface of the tooth, in the enamel. Since enamel contains no nerves, an early cavity can develop for months—or even years—without causing any symptoms.

Patients can eat normally, drink hot or cold beverages, and feel absolutely nothing unusual.

Pain Often Appears Late

Symptoms typically occur only when the cavity reaches deeper layers of the tooth, such as the dentin and eventually the pulp (the tooth’s nerve).

At this stage, patients may experience:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
• Pain when chewing
• Spontaneous toothaches
• Intermittent discomfort

Unfortunately, by the time a tooth becomes painful, the damage is often more extensive and treatment may be more complex.

A Large Cavity May Even Stop Hurting

This may sound surprising, but some advanced cavities can actually stop causing pain temporarily.

When the tooth's nerve becomes severely damaged or dies, the pain may decrease or disappear completely. However, the infection often continues to spread inside the tooth and may eventually lead to an abscess, swelling, or a more serious dental infection.

For this reason, the absence of pain does not necessarily mean that a tooth is healthy.

Dental X-Rays Reveal What the Eye Cannot See

Some cavities develop between teeth or underneath existing fillings and cannot be detected during a visual examination alone.

This is why dental X-rays play a crucial role in early diagnosis. They allow dentists to identify problems before they become painful, more extensive, or more costly to treat.

Prevention Is Always the Best Approach

Regular dental checkups help detect cavities at an early stage, when treatment is typically simpler, less invasive, and more affordable.

Even if you are not experiencing any pain, it is important to visit your dentist as recommended based on your individual oral health needs.

Key Takeaway

A cavity does not always hurt. In fact, most early cavities are completely symptom-free. Waiting until pain develops can allow the disease to progress, potentially leading to more extensive treatment. Regular dental examinations and X-rays are essential for maintaining a healthy smile.

From the website : American Dental Association (ADA) – Tooth Decay (Cavities)

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to develop. They are located at the very back of the mouth, behind the second molars. Their development is usually completed in the late teenage years.

When a person’s mouth is too small to allow wisdom teeth to erupt, they may remain fully or partially impacted—that is, embedded in the jawbone. This abnormal condition often requires treatment to remove the tooth or help it erupt normally.

These problems may develop gradually once the impacted tooth begins to emerge and affects the neighbouring teeth and gums.

When wisdom teeth are removed during the teenage years or early twenties, healing conditions are generally more favourable and complications are less common. This is why it is often preferable to assess the situation and intervene at that stage.

Other problems may also occur as wisdom teeth emerge, especially when they do not erupt completely, including:

• infections
• inflammation of the surrounding gums
• the development of cysts or benign tumours

From the website : http://www.maboucheensanté.com/

As you start your clear aligner treatment, it’s important to be aware of possible side effects that might occur throughout the process. That way, you can report any issues to your dentist right away so they can be fixed before they become serious problems. Here are the most common side effects associated with this type of orthodontic treatment, along with some tips on how to deal with them if you experience them yourself.

What Are Common Side Effects While Wearing Aligners?

All orthodontic devices have their fair share of side effects and clear aligners are no different. The most common ones you should look out for are:

• Tooth and jaw soreness
• Irritation of the lips, gums, and tongue
• Mild speech changes such as a lisp
• Bad breath or dry mouth
• Increased saliva production

Most of these side effects tend to occur toward the beginning of treatment, or when switching to a new tray during treatment. This is usually because it takes some time to get used to having the aligners in your mouth. Although the aligners are smooth and sit up against the teeth, irritation along the lips, gums, and tongue can happen since these areas may rub the edges of the aligner more at first.

Tooth and jaw soreness

are also common when first starting aligner treatment or switching to a new tray. Luckily, all these side effects are usually temporary and will usually subside after you get more comfortable with your clear aligners.

How Long Will It Take To Get Used To The Clear Aligners?

The actual time it takes to get used to your aligners depends on your willingness to stick with your treatment. Remember, you don’t have to wear your aligners all day, but the longer you can wear them the more you will get used to them. The only time you should be taking them out is during meals and when you are brushing your teeth. Most patients get used to their clear aligners within a few days and very few patients take more than a week or two. Though you may experience some side effects at first, there is no reason why you can’t wear your aligners 24/7 (except to eat and brush your teeth).

From the website : https://sparkaligners.com/en-us/news-and-articles/what-are-normal-side-effects-look-during-clear-aligner-treatment

Oral Health Month — Our Mouth Reflects Our Overall Health — Montreal, April 4, 2022

As oral health appears to be a growing concern among Quebecers, the Ordre des dentistes du Québec is taking advantage of April, Oral Health Month, to remind everyone of the essential role the mouth plays in overall health.

The connection between oral diseases and a variety of health problems is well established. Since the scientific literature clearly recognizes this link, it is essential that our governments correct the historical anomaly whereby the mouth is treated differently from the rest of the human body in terms of public coverage.

Regular dental examinations can help detect certain health problems at an early stage. The dentist can then advise the patient, act promptly and, when necessary, refer them to the appropriate health professionals. However, all Quebecers—especially the most vulnerable—must have access to such examinations. To this end, the Ordre des dentistes du Québec will soon launch a tool to inform the public about currently available government programs for targeted access to care and community initiatives supported by dentists. In the months ahead, the Order will also use every opportunity to encourage discussion about public coverage for oral health care.

QUOTE: “The mouth is, in a way, a mirror of a person’s overall health. It is therefore important for all Quebecers to pay close attention to the health of their mouth and teeth, just as they care for their general health. Access to oral health care is more important than ever for part of the population. This is why the Ordre des dentistes du Québec hopes that favourable conditions will be put in place so that as many Quebecers as possible can obtain the oral health care they should rightfully expect in a society where health is a priority.”

Dr. Guy Lafrance, DMD, President of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable trays called aligners. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, and some malocclusions can even be corrected more easily with Invisalign.

The Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign aligners resemble the trays used for teeth whitening. These firmer trays gradually align the teeth. Because they are almost invisible, our patients appreciate them for aesthetic reasons. Many adults would like to improve the alignment of their teeth but are reluctant to wear traditional braces. They often prefer the benefits of Invisalign. Since the aligners are removable, they can be taken out for eating and brushing. This means that dental hygiene routines and eating habits require fewer changes. Parents who are concerned about their teenagers’ oral hygiene may also find Invisalign reassuring.

Invisalign is therefore becoming increasingly popular with both our adult patients and our younger patients.

The benefits of Invisalign are significant. As noted above, the highly discreet appearance of the aligners helps patients feel more comfortable during treatment. Removable aligners also make oral hygiene—especially flossing—much easier. Invisalign does not require dietary restrictions, and the trays are comfortable to wear. Patients generally experience less irritation with Invisalign aligners than with more conventional orthodontic appliances.

Appointments During Invisalign Treatment

Most visits during treatment are brief and require only a quick check every 6 to 10 weeks. Invisalign treatment planning is reviewed virtually in advance, making follow-up appointments convenient for busy people. If discomfort or damage occurs, it is usually straightforward to address. Additional appointments for specific issues are therefore less common. The simplicity of follow-up care is another important benefit.

The main periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis. These diseases and conditions affect the tissues that support the teeth—namely, the gums and bone.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums around the teeth. This condition is reversible when treated.

Periodontitis, on the other hand, is a more severe disease that damages the gums and the bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal diseases are infections caused by the accumulation of harmful bacteria and their toxins along the gumline around the teeth. The condition can be worsened by several factors, including tartar buildup, smoking, genetics, stress, diabetes and certain medications.

The most effective ways to help prevent these diseases include meticulous oral hygiene—brushing, flossing and using interdental brushes—quitting smoking, and visiting your dentist regularly for scaling, X-rays and follow-up examinations.

Periodontitis is characterized by loss of bone support and separation of the gums from the teeth, leading to the formation of periodontal pockets. Periodontitis is often painless. However, patients may notice bleeding gums, swelling, gum recession, shifting teeth and sometimes bad breath. As the disease progresses, the teeth can become loose. Untreated periodontitis may eventually lead to tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is screened for during routine recall visits with your dentist. A simple screening examination can help identify patients with periodontal problems. Depending on the findings, several treatments may be considered. When periodontal involvement is confirmed, the dentist performs a more complete examination of the periodontium to assess the texture and colour of the gums, as well as the quality and quantity of bone. Pocket depths and gum recession around each tooth are measured, and X-rays are required to complete the assessment. This comprehensive evaluation helps establish a diagnosis, identify contributing factors and develop a treatment plan suited to the condition of your gums, with the goal of improving your oral health.

A dental examination is essential to maintaining your oral health—and only your dentist can perform it.

Part of the examination involves your dentist looking inside your mouth. In the past, you may not have realized that an examination was taking place. You may have thought the dentist was simply checking the hygienist’s work.

In fact, your dentist is looking for conditions that can affect your oral health and your overall health. These are often things you cannot see yourself, but that your dentist is trained to detect. A dental examination generally includes checking for:

• damaged, missing or decayed teeth
• early signs of tooth decay
• the condition of your gums, including periodontal pocket depth, inflammation or other signs of gum disease, which can lead to tooth or bone loss
• whether previous dental work—such as root canal treatments, fillings and crowns—is still in good condition
• early signs of oral and throat cancer, such as white lesions or blocked salivary glands
• other suspicious growths or cysts
• the position of your teeth, including spaces and your bite
• signs of teeth grinding or jaw clenching, which can cause headaches or jaw pain and, in severe cases, hearing or tooth loss
• signs of bleeding or inflammation on the tongue, roof of the mouth or floor of the mouth
• the health and function of the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jaw to the skull
• the general condition of the bones of the face, jaw and mouth

A dental examination can identify problems early—before you can see or feel them—when they are often easier and less costly to treat.

In addition to a visual inspection of your mouth, the examination includes a review of your medical history so that your dentist is aware of health conditions that could affect the success of dental treatment or be associated with oral health problems.

The examination may also include:

• an examination of the neck, during which the dentist checks the glands and lymph nodes for possible signs of inflammation that may indicate broader health concerns
• X-rays when needed. X-rays can reveal decay beneath existing fillings, impacted wisdom teeth, decay below the gumline and bone loss caused by gum disease

Your dentist will usually explain what is happening during the examination and review the findings with you. If not, be sure to ask questions. As a patient, you are a full partner in your dental care.

Points to Review

What to Tell Your Dentist

The more your dentist knows about your overall health, the better they can meet your oral health needs. Be sure to mention:

• any new medical condition diagnosed since your last visit, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS, even if it does not seem relevant
• any new medication you are taking, since side effects can include dry mouth and enlarged gums
• whether you are pregnant
• any allergies
• changes you have noticed in your teeth, such as colour, looseness or position
• changes in your gums, such as bleeding during brushing or flossing, or changes in appearance
• increased sensitivity to heat, cold or sweet foods
• rough areas where dental floss catches or frays
• changes in the colour of the tissues inside your mouth
• whether you smoke or chew tobacco, which increases the risk of oral cancer
• tightness in your neck or jaw muscles, or whether you grind or clench your teeth
• anxiety about dental appointments—modern dentistry offers many ways to improve comfort, and discussing your concerns can help you feel more at ease

Adapted from the Canadian Dental Association, 2019.

Located about one kilometre southeast of downtown Montreal’s skyscrapers, the 67-hectare neighbourhood known as Griffintown was once a cradle of Canada’s Industrial Revolution. More than a century ago, factories appeared along the Lachine Canal, whose formidable rapids had stopped French explorer Jacques Cartier during his search for a northwest passage to China.

During its heyday in the 19th and early 20th centuries, “the Griff,” as residents called it, was home to a diverse population made up largely of working-class families. Decades later, worn down by social and economic change, the neighbourhood nearly became a ghost town. At the dawn of the 21st century, however, Griffintown rose again and developed into an upscale urban district. Today, condominium towers stand alongside fashionable bars, restaurants and cafés.

When the fortifications surrounding Old Montreal were finally demolished in the early 1800s, the area to the southwest—formerly a seigneury—was destined to become the city’s first suburb. Irish merchant Thomas McCord had already obtained a 90-year lease on the land. While McCord returned to Ireland on business, an unscrupulous associate took advantage of his absence and illegally sold the property to Mary Griffin. She subdivided the land and had the first roads and low-cost housing built.

McCord was eventually compensated after a bitter legal battle, but the neighbourhood kept the name Griffintown.

Many of its earliest residents helped build the Lachine Canal. Launched in 1825, this enormous project provided work for a steady influx of immigrants, most of them Irish. That influx became a flood after the Irish famine of the 1840s forced millions to seek a better life in North America. Griffintown’s new residents helped dig and widen the canal so it could accommodate larger ships carrying goods from the flour mills, foundries, breweries, sawmills and textile factories clustered along its banks.

The neighbourhood remained predominantly Irish into the 20th century, but the Great Depression placed severe strain on families. Later, the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 signalled the end of commercial traffic on the Lachine Canal.

In 1963, the administration of then-mayor Jean Drapeau declared the area strictly industrial, meaning that residential properties could not be rebuilt if destroyed. Construction of the Bonaventure Expressway for Expo 67 physically divided the neighbourhood, accelerating factory closures and the departure of Griffintown’s remaining families. The population fell below 600.

Fortunately, visitors can still see a row of 19th-century brick houses that once sheltered neighbourhood residents. On the north side of de la Montagne Street stands a series of red-brick townhouses built in the early 1880s, with mansard roofs, dormer windows and carriage entrances that once allowed horse-drawn carts into the rear courtyards. Yet these homes were overcrowded, poorly heated and unhealthy. In 1846–1847, six thousand residents of Griffintown and the area just south of the Lachine Canal died of typhus and were buried in a mass grave marked by a three-metre engraved stone near Victoria Bridge.

In 1852, a fire destroyed half the city. Flooding from the St. Lawrence River also regularly submerged the streets beneath several metres of water.

Across from the townhouses is a triangular park that once formed the community’s social and spiritual heart. It is the former site of St. Ann’s Church, which opened in 1854 as the city’s second Catholic church. The closure and demolition of St. Ann’s in 1970 is considered by many to have dealt the final blow to the community. Only a few remnants of its walls survive, and park benches face the place where one of Montreal’s oldest churches would stand today.

Very few of the neighbourhood’s factories survived. The oldest is the New City Gas Company building at Dalhousie and Ottawa streets. Built in 1859 of brick and limestone, it burned coke to produce the gas used to light Montreal’s streets. The building has a distinctive roof and walls punctuated by simple, elegant buttresses. John Ostell, one of the architects involved in the original structure, also designed McGill University’s Arts Building in 1837.

Two blocks southwest, a Royal Air Force Liberator bomber crashed while flying to England, killing fifteen people. Nearby is the Griffintown Horse Palace, a stable built in 1860 that long housed horses used for Old Montreal carriage rides.

No visit to Griffintown would be complete without seeing the Lachine Canal, whose development now focuses on recreation rather than commerce. A 12-kilometre paved path follows the canal from Old Montreal through Griffintown to Lachine in the west. The locks, restored in 1990, have been open to pleasure craft since 2002. Along the canal banks, visitors can still see mushroom-shaped mooring bollards once used to secure boats.

This article appeared in the April–May 2017 issue of Canada’s History.

Pierre Home-Douglas is a freelance writer based in Montreal.