Severe tooth pain has a way of taking over your entire day — and night. When the nerve inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, the pain can be relentless. In many of these cases, an emergency root canal is what finally brings relief. If you're in St. John's and hurting right now, here's what you need to know.

Signs Your Toothache Is an Emergency

Call us right away if you have any of these:

• Throbbing pain that won't stop, especially at night or when lying down
• Swelling in your face, jaw, or gums
• A pimple-like bump on the gum (a sign of an abscess)
• Pain so severe that over-the-counter painkillers aren't touching it
• A bad taste or discharge near a sore tooth

Why You Shouldn't Wait

A dental infection doesn't resolve on its own. Left untreated, an abscess can spread into the jaw and surrounding tissues and become a serious medical problem. The earlier we treat it, the more comfortable the process — and the better the chance of saving the tooth. Waiting almost never makes it cheaper or easier.

What to Do Before You Reach Us

While you arrange to be seen: take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the package, rinse gently with warm salt water, and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for swelling. Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods on that side. Don't place an aspirin directly on the gum — it can burn the tissue.

How We Help — Fast

Root canals are a core focus of our practice, and we do our best to see urgent cases the same day. As the only office in Newfoundland offering 24/7 access to a dentist by call or text, we're here when a tooth flares up outside normal hours. In one comfortable appointment, we can remove the infected tissue, relieve the pressure, and stop the pain at its source.

Don't Tough It Out

If you're dealing with the kind of pain described above, please don't wait for it to "settle down." Call us at (709) 400-7474 or text (709) 700-1300 and we'll get you seen as quickly as possible.