Dental Emergencies & After Hours Care

Types of Emergencies & How to Treat Them

Toothache

Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly and use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. You can use Tylenol or Ibuprofen to help relieve pain. If the pain still exists or if the face is swollen, please contact us.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Cheek, or Lip

Apply ice or popsicle to injured areas to help control swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, please go to the hospital emergency department.

Knocked Out Primary Tooth (Baby Tooth)

Contact our office whenever you are able to. This is not usually an emergency, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary. However, if your child is having excessive pain, discomfort, and/or swelling, please let us know right away. Ibuprofen or Tylenol can help relieve some discomfort. After a tooth has been removed, your child may have a swollen socket from wiggling beforehand.

Chipped or Fractured Primary Tooth (Baby Tooth)

Unless your child is in pain, a chipped baby tooth is usually nothing serious. Nevertheless, when a chipped tooth does occur, please let us know and get your child scheduled for an evaluation as soon as possible. We want to ensure that the fracture and/or chip won’t lead to additional damage and help protect your child’s tooth/teeth.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub, or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient's saliva or milk. Call us IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth

Contact our office to get scheduled as soon as possible. It is important to have your child examined even if the damage appears to be minor. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment.

Severe Head Trauma or Injury

Call an ambulance if your child has had a head injury involving high speeds or height, or if after a knock to the head they lose consciousness or vomit more than once. Most children recover well after a mild head injury. If your child is still requiring support to return to everyday activities after two weeks following a mild head injury, they should be reviewed by their GP for a medical assessment. If your child has difficulty with mastication (chewing) or if any of the teeth were damaged during the injury, please call us as soon as possible.

Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw

A broken or fractured jaw requires IMMEDIATE medical attention. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding. Call an ambulance or go to the hospital emergency department. Do not try to correct the position of the jaw. Hold the jaw gently in place with your hands on the way to the emergency room. You can also wrap a bandage under the jaw and over the top of the head. The bandage should be easy to remove in case your child needs to vomit. Follow-up as soon as possible with us after the initial hospital visit so we can be involved in the healing process.

Remember, Dental Emergencies Happen!

A pediatric dental emergency can arise unexpectedly as a result of a fall or other sudden injury. Other situations might be caused by tooth decay or infection. These emergencies can be frightening for both children and parents, especially if a tooth is broken or knocked out entirely. Knowing how to react in the wake of this type of crisis and when to seek treatment can lower the risk of permanent tooth loss or damage. Remember, we are here to help and will always keep your child’s best interests in mind.