Dental emergencies can be very scary and traumatic, especially for children, but there is no need to worry! If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, stay calm and do the following things:
First, call our office as soon as possible and tell us the situation. We will give you the instructions you need to get through this experience with success. If you cannot get a hold of our office or dentist, take your child to the nearest hospital or Urgent Care.
Second, keep your child as calm as possible. Let them know that everything will be ok. You can try to calm them down by singing, playing music, or telling stories. Keeping them comfortable also helps.
Third, do the following things until you see the dentist or medical professional:
• For a chipped or broken tooth: Try to save as many pieces of the tooth as possible. Then, have your child rinse their mouth with warm water. To relieve pain and reduce swelling, ice the area and give your child over-the-counter pain medication.
• For a knocked-out permanent tooth: Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse it with warm water. Please do not scrub the tooth because the tissues and fibers need to remain in place. Then, put the tooth in a cup of milk. If that is not possible, you can put the tooth in a cup of water with a pinch of table salt or in a cup of liquid that promotes cell growth. If your child has knocked out a baby tooth, you don’t need to worry too much about it, unless it has fallen out prematurely. However, you can always call our office and ask any questions or express your concerns. We are happy to help!
• For a toothache: Have your child rinse their mouth with warm water. Then, floss between each tooth and free any excess food substances that might be stuck. If this does not help your child feel better, there is a chance that the tooth is decayed. Until your child’s appointment, you can give them over-the-counter pain medication to eliminate the pain and provide comfort.
• For a bitten or cut lip, cheek, or tongue: Clean the blood with a warm and damp cloth. Then, try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area. If the bleeding continues, take your child to the nearest hospital.
If you have any questions, or if you need help, please call our office. We are happy to give you the instructions you need to improve the situation!