Your child’s well-being and dental health are our top priority. If you have any questions regarding emergency care, please do not hesitate to call our office. We are here to help you and your child with any dental emergencies, and we will do everything we can to make sure you are treated as soon as possible.
Common dental emergencies include:
Tooth Ache
Clean the area around the sore tooth carefully and thoroughly. You may rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water to remove any food trapped around the teeth and gums. If your child has facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. For temporary pain relief, acetaminophen or ibuprofen is recommended (please note: DO NOT place aspirin directly on your child’s gums or aching tooth). Contact our office to schedule a visit as soon as possible.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
These areas have a lot of blood vessels, and sometimes, even a small injury can cause a lot of bleeding. First, apply ice to any bruised or swollen areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, proceed to an emergency room.
Broken Tooth
Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain. Recover any broken tooth fragments. Contact our office immediately.
Loss of Permanent Tooth
Pick the tooth by the crown (top) and NOT the root end. Rinse it with warm water, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place the tooth in a cup containing milk, saliva, or water (as a last resort). This is important to keep the tooth from drying out. Because time is essential, contact our office immediately.
Broken Braces and Wires
If a broken appliance can be removed easily, you may go ahead and take it out. If it is lodged or painful to remove, cover any protruding edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue, do not remove it. Contact our office immediately. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that do not bother your child.
Bleeding after Baby Tooth Loss
Fold a piece of gauze or kleenex and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Have your child bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes. If the bleeding continues after 15 minutes, contact our office.
Canker Sores
Over-the-counter medications will usually provide temporary relief from discomfort. The only way for a canker sore to heal is by the area not becoming irritated during the healing process. Usually, canker sores can take 10-14 days to fully heal. If symptoms persist, contact our office.