Dental Emergencies

If your child has an accident, please call us as soon as possible. Depending on the type of trauma, the first 30 minutes after an accident can be the most critical to treating dental trauma.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. You may briefly rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is not broken, try to reinsert it  in its socket. Have the patient keep the tooth in place by biting on gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk. Time is critical and you should seek immediate dental care! Note: Primary (baby) teeth are not generally replaced in the socket as this can damage the permanent tooth that is developing underneath.

Broken Tooth

Rinse dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Contact us as soon as possible.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Rinse the mouth or area of injury with warm salt water or hydrogen peroxide diluted with water (50% water & 50% hydrogen peroxide). If the patient’s lip or cheek is swollen, apply cold compresses. Take the patient to the dentist.

Toothache

Clean the area of the affected tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If the patient’s face is swollen, apply cold compresses. Take the patient to a dentist.