Dental emergencies

Toothache

Gently clean your child’s mouth with a toothbrush and floss, and make sure nothing is caught between or around the teeth. Do not apply heat to the gum or tooth. If your child’s cheek or face is swollen, apply a cold compress and contact us immediately. If the pain lasts more than a day, call us for treatment options.

Cuts to the tongue, lip or cheek

Apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to stop the bleeding. Apply ice to reduce swelling and relieve pain. If the bleeding does not stop, call a doctor or take your child to urgent care or the emergency room.

Knocked-out tooth

Baby tooth: A knocked-out primary tooth usually doesn’t cause problems or need treatment. Contact us during regular business hours.

Permanent tooth: contact our office immediately! If possible, find the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it with water, but don’t clean it with soap. If it isn’t cracked or damaged, try to put it back in the socket and have your child hold it in place by biting on gauze. If you can’t, put the tooth in a cup with the patient’s saliva or milk.

Chips & fractures

If your child has chipped or cracked a tooth, contact us immediately. Without treatment, the tooth could become infected and need more extensive care. Rinse your child’s mouth thoroughly with water. If fragments broke off, save them and bring them with you.

Broken jaw

Use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Call us, or go to the hospital immediately if you can’t reach us. A broken jaw can be the result of a blow to the head, which can be dangerous and life-threatening.

Avoiding injuries

• Childproof your home to avoid falls
• Don’t let your child chew on ice, popcorn kernels or hard foods
• Use car seats for young children and seatbelts for older kids
• Provide a custom-fitted mouth guard for contact sports
• Prevent toothaches with regular brushing, flossing and visits to our office