Dental emergencies can be stressful, especially when they involve a child. We are here to help. Below you will find guidance on handling the most common situations, along with instructions for reaching us.
During office hours: Call us right away. We will assess the situation and get your child in as quickly as possible.
After office hours: Call the office and follow the instructions on our voicemail. We will return your call as soon as we are able.
If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Toothache
Have your child rinse their mouth with warm water, then gently floss around the affected tooth to clear any food or debris that may be irritating. If the pain does not improve or if the area around the tooth feels warm or swollen, contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Injury to the Lips, Gums, Cheeks, or Tongue
Apply gentle pressure to the area using a clean cloth or sterile gauze to help control bleeding. An ice pack or cold compress applied to the outside of the face can help with swelling. If bleeding does not stop within 15 to 20 minutes, contact your child’s physician or visit an emergency room.
Baby Tooth Knocked Out
Unlike permanent teeth, a knocked-out baby tooth is generally not reimplanted, as doing so could interfere with the developing permanent tooth beneath it. Contact our office and we will advise you on next steps and schedule an appointment to evaluate the area.
Permanent Tooth Knocked Out
Time is critical. Call our office immediately and follow these steps:
- Handle the tooth by the crown only. Do not touch the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly and gently with water. Do not scrub it.
- If possible, carefully reinsert the tooth into the socket, and have your child gently bite down on clean gauze to hold it in place.
- If reinsertion is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk or your child’s saliva and bring it with you to the appointment.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Rinse the mouth with lukewarm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of the face to reduce swelling. If you are able to find the broken fragment, store it in milk and bring it to the appointment. Contact our office right away, particularly if a large portion of the tooth has broken off.