Dental emergencies

Toothache

Gently clean the area around the sore tooth. Rinse the mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food that may be caught between the teeth. If pain continues, contact your child’s dentist. Do not place aspirin on the gum or tooth. If there is facial swelling, apply a cold compress and call your dentist right away.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with clean gauze or a cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure, call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

If possible, find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the chewing or biting surface), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with water.

Try to place it back into the socket right away and have your child bite gently on gauze or a clean cloth to help hold it in place.

If you cannot reinsert it, keep the tooth moist in cold milk or saline. If your child is old enough not to swallow it, the tooth can also be kept inside the mouth between the cheek and gums. See a dentist immediately. Time is very important.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Do not try to put a baby tooth back into the socket, as this can affect the developing permanent tooth underneath. Contact your pediatric dentist for guidance.

Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth

Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress if there is swelling. If you can find the broken piece, keep it moist in milk or saliva and bring it with you to the appointment. Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth Contact your pediatric dentist for advice. Severe Blow to the Head Take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. Possible Broken Jaw Keep the jaw from moving and go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Sports Safety

If your child plays sports or participates in activities with a risk of falls or facial injury, a properly fitted mouthguard can help protect the teeth and mouth.