Emergency Dental Care
Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and when they do, it’s natural to feel worried and unsure of what to do. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth from a playground accident, a severe toothache that starts in the middle of the night, or a chipped tooth from a fall, we’re here to provide prompt, expert care when your child needs it most.
Our emergency dental services are designed to address urgent situations quickly, relieve pain, prevent further damage, and get your child back to smiling comfortably as soon as possible.
Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Knocked-Out Tooth
This is one of the most serious dental emergencies, especially if it's a permanent tooth.
What to Do Immediately:
- Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (not the root)
- Rinse gently with water if dirty (don’t scrub)
- Try to place it back in the socket if possible
- If that’s not possible, store in milk or saliva
- Call us immediately – time is critical
- Get to our office within 30 minutes if possible
For baby teeth: Don’t try to replant. Call us for guidance.
Severe Toothache
Persistent, severe tooth pain requires immediate attention as it may indicate infection or significant decay.
What to Do:
- Rinse mouth with warm water
- Use dental floss to remove trapped food
- Give age-appropriate pain reliever
- Apply cold compress to outside of cheek
- Never apply aspirin directly to gums
- Call us as soon as possible for an appointment
Broken or Chipped Tooth
Fractured teeth can range from minor chips to severe breaks exposing the tooth's inner pulp.
What to Do:
- Rinse mouth with warm water
- Save any broken pieces in milk or water
- Apply cold compress if there’s swelling
- Cover sharp edges with dental wax or gauze
- Contact us for same-day treatment if possible
Tooth Pushed Out of Position
Trauma can push teeth out of their normal position (intrusion or extrusion).
What to Do:
- Don’t try to reposition the tooth yourself
- Apply cold compress to reduce swelling
- Give pain reliever as needed
- Call us immediately for emergency treatment
Bitten Lip or Tongue
Children often bite their lips or tongue during falls or accidents.
What to Do:
- Clean the area gently with water
- Apply cold compress to reduce swelling
- Apply direct pressure with clean gauze if bleeding
- Seek emergency medical care if bleeding doesn’t stop
- Call us if teeth are also damaged
Abscess or Swelling
A dental abscess is a serious infection that appears as a painful swelling on the gums.
What to Do:
- Call us immediately – this is serious
- Rinse with mild salt water
- Give pain reliever as appropriate
- Do not try to drain the abscess
- Seek treatment within 24 hours
When to Go to the Emergency Room Instead
While we handle most dental emergencies, some situations require immediate hospital care:
- Severe bleeding that won’t stop after 10-15 minutes of pressure
- Jaw injury or suspected broken jaw
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe swelling that affects breathing
- Head injury or loss of consciousness
- High fever (over 102°F) with facial swelling
For these situations, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room, then contact us afterward for dental follow-up care.
How to Save a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
When a permanent tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. Following the right steps can mean the difference between saving and losing the tooth.
1
Act quickly
You have about 30 minutes to save the tooth, so get to our office as fast as possible.
2
Handle carefully
Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), never touch the root.
3
Rinse gently
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it very gently with water. Don't scrub, use soap, or touch the root.
4
Replant if possible
Try to place the tooth back in the socket, holding it in place by biting on gauze. If your child can't cooperate, move to step 5.
5
Keep it moist
If you can't replant the tooth, place it in a container of milk, saliva, or saline solution. Don't use water.
6
Get to us immediately
Call ahead so we're ready for your arrival. Every minute counts.
Remember: Baby teeth should NOT be replanted. If a baby tooth is knocked out, simply save it and contact us for guidance.
What to Expect During Emergency Treatment
When you arrive at our office for emergency care, we’ll see your child as quickly as possible. Our emergency treatment process includes immediate assessment of the injury or problem, pain relief as the first priority, necessary x-rays to determine extent of damage, explanation of treatment options and recommendations, and immediate treatment to stabilize the situation and prevent further damage.
We understand that emergencies are stressful for both you and your child. Our team is trained to provide calm, reassuring care while addressing the urgent situation efficiently. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and ensure your child is as comfortable as possible.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While not all emergencies can be prevented, you can reduce your child’s risk with these simple steps:
- Use appropriate car seats and seat belts for every ride
- Require mouthguards for contact sports and activities
- Childproof your home to prevent falls (gates, corner guards, etc.)
- Supervise young children during play and mealtime
- Teach children not to chew on hard objects (ice, hard candy, pencils)
- Avoid using teeth as tools to open packages
- Maintain regular dental checkups to catch problems early
- Address cavities promptly before they cause pain or infection
- Keep your child's teeth strong with good oral hygiene and nutrition
The Importance of Having a Dental Home
One reason to establish a relationship with a pediatric dentist before an emergency occurs is that we already know your child’s dental history, your child is comfortable with our office and staff, we have your child’s records readily available, and we can see your child quickly during emergencies. Having a dental home means faster, better care when emergencies happen.
Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
Save our emergency number now so you’re prepared if an urgent situation arises. We’re here to help 24/7 when your child needs emergency dental care.