Emergency Tooth Tips

Knocked out baby tooth? Was the tooth wiggly prior to the injury? If you are unsure, contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be put back in place to prevent the chance of damaging the developing adult tooth.

Knocked out adult tooth? Find the tooth and rinse it gently with milk. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva, or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. Don’t hesitate to call the after-hours emergency number.

Chipped or fractured tooth? Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. For major fractures extending to the nerve of the tooth, quick action may prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk and bring it with you to the dental office.

Toothache? Call the office to set up the first available appointment. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with warm salt water. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication, dosed according to your child’s weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Loose appliance, wire, or band? Please call our office to set up an appointment. If the appliance comes out completely do not attempt to “put it back.” If the appliance is loose on one side, avoid eating on that side to minimize discomfort and damage to the appliance.

For any significant blow to the head or jaw, seek medical attention immediately! A severe head injury can be life-threatening. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team might be able to reach you faster than you can get to the hospital. When your child needs urgent dental treatment, call our office. If after-hours, our emergency number is available on our answering service. We are ready to help!