Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and rinse it gently. For a permanent tooth, try to place it back in the socket. If that isn’t possible, store it in milk or your child’s saliva and call us right away, because treatment within the first hour gives the best chance of saving it. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in.
Yes. We keep time open for same-day emergency visits during office hours so your child doesn’t have to wait in pain. Call us as soon as the problem happens, and our team will give you first-aid instructions over the phone and get your child in quickly.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if your child has a possible jaw fracture, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a head injury, or loss of consciousness. For toothaches, broken teeth, and knocked-out teeth without these signs, call our office first.
Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water, gently floss to remove any trapped food, and apply a cold compress to the cheek. An age-appropriate dose of an over-the-counter pain reliever can help, following the package directions. Never place aspirin directly on the gums, since it can burn the tissue
A small chip with no pain or sharp edges can usually wait for a regular appointment. Call us promptly if the chip is large, the tooth is painful or sensitive, you see pink or red in the center of the tooth, or it happened after a hard fall. These can be signs of nerve involvement.
Use a pencil eraser to gently push a poking wire flat, or cover it with orthodontic wax. If a bracket comes loose, save it and call our office. Most braces problems aren’t true emergencies, but we’ll repair them quickly to keep treatment on track and your child comfortable.
Have your child wear a mouthguard during sports, avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and use a car seat or seatbelt correctly. Keep up with six-month checkups so small cavities are treated before they become painful infections. We can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for young athletes.