Dental Emergencies for Kids
 When an emergency happens, the last thing you want to worry about is where to take your child! If your child needs emergency treatment, we encourage you to call us and we will make arrangements to see your child as soon as possible. We encourage you to start your child's dental visits by age one so that in the case of a dental emergency, your child has a safe and familiar environment to come to.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Primary (Baby) Tooth
If something happens to any of your child's primary teeth, or "baby teeth," you should bring your child into our office as soon as you can. If a tooth is completely out, place it a balanced salt solution or in a glass of milk until you get to the dentist. The dentist will determine the best course of action for the avulsed (knocked out) tooth. Although it is normal for children to lose primary teeth, an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the permanent "adult" tooth underneath.
Adult Tooth
A baby tooth should not be placed back in the mouth, but a permanent tooth should. Hold the tooth by the crown, and if it is dirty, rinse the root with water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached bits of tissue. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean washcloth or piece of gauze. If this isn't possible, or if the child cannot safely hold the tooth in his/her mouth, put the tooth in a container with milk, saliva, or water. Bring your child into our dental office as soon as possible. Don't forget to bring the tooth and any tooth pieces you can find!
If our dental office is not available to see your child, please take your child into the Emergency Room to have the dentist on call place the tooth.
Broken Tooth
Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the face to reduce swelling and come into our office right away. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to our office. Wrap the tooth piece in some wet gauze or a wet towel if possible.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
Clean the area gently with a cloth and place cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the area to keep swelling down. If there is a lot of bleeding or if it doesn't stop after a short period of time, bring your child into our office, or an emergency center.
Objects Caught Between Teeth
Often popcorn husks become caught between teeth or near the gumline. Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If that does not work, come to our office. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
Toothache
Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Give your child what you would normally give him or her for pain relief. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. Bring your child into our dental office as soon as you can. |
