Life is full of surprises including dental emergencies. Don’t panic—we’re here to help.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD FALLS AND KNOCKS OUT A PERMANENT TOOTH?
Remain calm. Locate the tooth and pick it up by the chewing surface, being careful not to touch the root. If the tooth is not dirty or broken, try to reinsert it into the empty socket in your child’s mouth. If you can reinsert it, have your child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean piece of cloth or gauze and come directly to us.
If you cannot reinsert the tooth (or if it is dirty or broken), put the tooth in a glass of milk. Bring it and your child to us immediately.
CHIPPED OR BROKEN TOOTH
Even if the damaged tooth is not a permanent one, head to our office right away. Once a tooth has become chipped or broken, bacteria can enter the tooth’s pulp or nerve and cause an infection. We need to evaluate the damage and seal the enamel to keep bacteria out and ward off infection.
Put the piece of broken tooth in a glass of milk and bring it with you. In some cases, we can reattach the broken piece in our office.
Apply direct pressure on the bleeding area using a clean cloth. Reduce swelling with a cold compress (a popsicle works well). Give your child an appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
CUT/BITTEN TONGUE, LIP OR CHEEK
A cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek is no fun. It can lead to bleeding, swelling and discomfort. To relieve these symptoms, apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress (a popsicle works well.) Finally, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any discomfort.
TOOTHACHE
Toothaches happen. Have your child rinse with warm salt water to soothe the ache. If you notice any swelling, apply a cold compress directly to the affected area. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any pain or discomfort. Even if the pain subsides, visit us as soon as possible to rule out any problems.
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