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| Dental Emergencies |
When emergencies happen, the last thing you want to worry about is where to take your child! If your child needs emergency treatment, call us and we will make arrangements to see your child as soon as possible. We encourage you to establish a dental home for your child by his or her first birthday so that, in the case of a dental emergency, your child will be taken care of in a safe and familiar environment.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Primary (Baby) teeth
If something happens to any of your child's primary "baby" teeth, you should bring your child into our office as soon as possible. If a tooth is completely out, do not try to place it back in the socket. Even though it is normal for children to lose primary teeth, an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the underlying permanent "adult" tooth.
Permanent (Adult) teeth
Although baby teeth should not be placed back in the mouth, permanent teeth should be re-implanted when possible. Hold the tooth by the crown (not by the root) and, if it is dirty, rinse the root with clean water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any bits of attached tissue. If possible, gently re-insert the tooth and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean washcloth or piece of gauze. If this isn't possible, or if your child cannot safely hold the tooth in his or her mouth, place the tooth in a container with your child's saliva or milk. Bring your child into our dental office immediately. Timing is critical for the best chance of saving the tooth.
Fractured Teeth
Contact our office immediately if your child fractures a tooth. Time is an important factor in saving a fractured tooth and reducing the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse your child's mouth with warm water to keep the tooth clean. Apply a cold compress (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) to your child's face to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to our office. Wrap the pieces of tooth in wet gauze or a wet paper towel if possible.
Toothache
A toothache generally means an underlying cavity or infection. Rinse your child's mouth with warm water to clean it out and give him or her what you normally would for pain relief. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum tissue because it can cause serious local irritation. Bring your child into our office as soon as possible for a thorough evaluation.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
Clean the area gently with a soft cloth and apply a cold compress (like an ice pack or a ice wrapped in a washcloth) to the area to reduce swelling. If there is a lot of bleeding or if bleeding doesn't stop after a short period of time, bring your child into our office or an emergency center.
Objects Caught Between Teeth
Popcorn husks can become caught between teeth or near the gum line. Gently try to remove the foreign material with dental floss. If that does not work, come into our office. Avoid trying to remove foreign material with a sharp or pointed instrument.
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