Give us a call right away if you have a dental emergency. You can contact our emergency number if you require immediate medical attention after hours. If there is a risk to your child's dental health, we are always here to help. Here are some pointers for handling dental emergencies. For easy access, you might want to put this list on your fridge or keep it close to your emergency phone numbers.
Bitten Lip or Tongue
If your child has bitten their lip or tongue so hard that it is bleeding, rinse the injury with water and use a cold compress to minimize swelling (use a cold, wet towel or washcloth pushed firmly against the region). Please give us a call so we can assess the severity of the bite.
Object Caught In Teeth
If your child gets something stuck between their teeth, gently remove it with dental floss. Never try to free a trapped object with a metal, plastic, or pointy object. Please give us a call if you are unable to remove the thing with dental floss.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth
Have your child rinse their mouth with warm water after breaking or chipping a tooth, and then apply a cold compress to minimize swelling. Look for the broken tooth fragment and try to salvage it. Dial us right away.
Knocked Out Tooth
If your child has lost a tooth, locate it and give it a quick wash with water (do not use soap). Make sure you only get water on the tooth's crown, which is the area that is visible when the tooth is in its proper position. Place the tooth in a sanitized milk container. Make a quick call to us or go directly to the hospital. It is possible to save the tooth if you take early action.
Loose Tooth
To prevent it from being swallowed or inhaled, a tooth that is extremely loose in your child should be extracted.
Toothache
Make sure there's nothing caught between your child's teeth by inspecting them and giving them a warm water rinse if they complain of having a toothache. Apply a cold compress to relieve the pain if it persists. Avoid directly applying heat, aspirin, or topical painkillers to the afflicted area as this may lead to gum damage. Painkillers for kids can be swallowed. Make an appointment right away.
Broken Jaw
To lessen swelling if you believe or know your child has a broken jaw, apply a cold compress. Make an urgent call to our emergency hotline or proceed straight to the hospital. A hit to the head frequently results in a broken jaw. Head trauma can be harmful, even fatal in certain cases.
Avoiding Injury
It is possible to prevent dental emergencies for your child. Make your home child-proof to prevent falls. Don't let your child chew on ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard foods. For younger kids, car seats should always be used; for older children, seat belts must be used. Have your child wear a mouthguard if they participate in contact sports. Inquire with us about making your child a mouthguard that fits them perfectly. Lastly, avoid toothaches by visiting our clinic and brushing and flossing on a regular basis.
