Emergencies

1. Clean the area around the tooth and rinse the mouth with lukewarm salt water to remove any food or debris that may be causing the pain.
2. Apply a cold pack if any swelling occurs to relieve the pain and help reduce any swelling temporarily.
3. Give your child over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen if they're in moderate discomfort. Also known as Paracetamol, it alleviates pain by reducing inflammation. Remember not to give your child Aspirin as it can cause further irritation.

If the pain lasts more than a day or two, call us so we can take a look and see what's going on.

There's no need to worry if your child’s tooth is only slightly chipped. You can usually wait until regular business hours to call us and schedule an appointment. If the tooth is broken or cracked, however, it's best to do the following:

1. Rinse your child's mouth with lukewarm water to remove dirt or debris.
2. Apply clean gauze to the area to help stop bleeding.
3. Lay a cold pack to the outside of your child's cheek if there is any swelling.
4. Gather any pieces to the tooth, and contact our office immediately.

1. Seek professional dental care immediately. Call our office, and we'll give you instructions on what to do next.
2. Lightly rinse off the tooth with lukewarm water while carefully NOT handling it by the roots.
3. If possible, reinsert the tooth and have your child lightly bite down on a cloth or gauze. Otherwise, place the tooth in milk or water during transport.

While you're on your way, encourage your child to avoid spitting or touching the tooth as much as possible.

The loss of a baby tooth is no cause for alarm, and no emergency treatment is necessary. But if your child experiences any bleeding, here's what you can do:

1. Lightly bite on cloth or gauze.
2. If bleeding persists longer than 15 minutes, contact our office.

Call our office immediately if you notice that one of your child's fillings or crowns has fallen out. In the meantime, try the following:

1. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do nothing. The tooth will eventually fall out on its own.
2. Try to put the filling or crown back in place if the tooth is an adult tooth. If you can't put the restoration back in place, bring the tooth to our office anyway.

Depending on the severity of the injury, a minor cut to the gum or lip will usually heal on its own within a few days. But if it's deep or there is excessive bleeding, you'll need to call us for emergency dental care. In the meantime, you can:

1. Rinse the wound with lukewarm water.
2. Apply a cold, wet cloth to help reduce swelling.
3. Use a clean, dry cloth to apply pressure to the wound if there is any bleeding.
4. Have your child drink over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen if they're in discomfort.

Oral or bacterial infections are extremely rare in children but can occur if your child has an untreated cavity. Call our clinic immediately if you notice any pimple-like bumps on your child's gums. In the meantime, you can:

1. Rinse your child's mouth with lukewarm water.
2. Apply a cold, wet cloth to the outside of their cheek if there is any swelling.
3. Encourage your child to drink cold liquids to help ease any pain.
4. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, call us or go to the emergency room right away:

• Facial swelling
• Severe pain
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Feverish and vomits more than once in 24 hours