Emergency Care
When your child needs urgent dental treatment, your pediatric dentist stands ready to help. Please keep the emergency number available and convenient.
Q. What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?
A. Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential risk of damage to the developing permanent tooth.
Q. What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?
A. Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. Do not scrub or clean it with soap –– use only water! If possible, replant the tooth back to the socket immediately and keep it in place with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk or saliva. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chance of saving the tooth.
Q. What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?
A. Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Rinse the mouth with water and apply ice on the lip to reduce swelling if the lip is also injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in water and bring it with you to the dental office.
Q. What about a severe blow to the head or a jaw fracture?
A. You need immediate medical attention in the emergency room. A severe head injury can be life-threatening.
Q. What if my child has a toothache?
A. Call your pediatric dentist and visit the office promptly. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication, dosed according to your child’s weight and age, may temporarily ease the symptoms.
Q. Can dental injuries be prevented?
A. Your child’s risk for dental injuries can be reduced greatly by following a few simple suggestions. First, reduce the risk for severe oral injury in sports by wearing protective gear, including a mouthguard. Second, always use a car seat for young children and require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, childproof your home to prevent falls and electrical injuries. Regular dental check-ups provide your dentist with an opportunity to discuss additional age-appropriate preventive strategies with your child.
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