DENTAL EMERGENCIES
Dental accidents can happen anywhere, anytime.
Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing your child’s permanent tooth. During our office hours, please make sure to give us a call so that we can attend to your child's dental emergency as soon as possible. After office hours, please give the office a call and follow the instructions provided. Our office will be in touch with you as soon as possible. If you are experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
Some Common Dental Emergencies
Toothache
For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on your child’s aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your child’s dentist.
Cut lip or tongue
If your child bites his tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. See your child’s dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
A baby tooth gets knocked out
Please call the office to schedule an appointment.
A permanent tooth gets knocked out
Make sure your child does not have a more serious injury. Remember to call 911 for help if necessary. For a knocked-out permanent or "adult" tooth, keep it moist at all times by placing it in a container or in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Then, give our office a call right away so we can get you an appointment as soon as possible. A primary (baby tooth) does not need to be moistened but, if possible, it should be found to bring to the dentist.
A tooth gets chipped or broken
For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. Please call the office to schedule an appointment.