Emergency Dental Care

 

Dr. Lauren understands when your child is injured, you want your questions answered right away! If your child faces a dental emergency, please call us immediately!

 

Below, you will find guidelines for common dental emergencies. Please don’t hesitate to call our office if you have any questions. We’re here to help!

 

Toothache

 

If your child complains of a hurting tooth, use warm water to rinse the mouth to displace any food particles that may be trapped between the teeth. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat, aspirin, or any topical pain relievers directly to the affected area. Children’s pain relievers may be taken orally. Please call to schedule an appointment immediately!

 

Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out

 

Fold a piece of gauze or washcloth and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze to apply firm pressure for 15 minutes until controlled. Red oozing from the site may be a normal finding. Make sure to keep up your child’s normal hygiene routine, and brush the area softly in circles to stimulate healing. Please contact us if you have concerns.

 

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek

 

Use a cold compress (a cold, wet clean towel) and apply firm, gentle pressure against the area to reduce or avoid swelling. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, give us a call!

 

Broken Tooth

 

Rinse the area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the facial area of the injury to reduce swelling. Attempt to recover any broken tooth fragments. Seek immediate dental attention.

 

Knocked Out Tooth

 

Baby Tooth: Unfortunately, if the knocked out tooth is a baby tooth, we generally do not put those back into place as to not disturb the developing permanent tooth. Schedule an appointment to make sure there are no tooth fragments remaining. If you are not sure if the knocked out tooth is primary or permanent, follow the instructions for a permanent tooth!

 

Permanent Tooth: Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (the part you can see when it is in place) and not the root. If debris is found on the tooth, rinse it off with milk if available (water is the 2nd choice!), but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth in the socket, and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk (again, water is the 2nd choice!). Because time is essential for a better prognosis, see us immediately!