Dental Emergencies
Toothache
Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm saltwater to dislodge trapped food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If face is swollen, apply a cold compress. Take acetaminophen for pain and see a dentist as soon as possible.
No matter what the activity, emergencies can arise.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to a hospital emergency room.
Broken Braces and Wires
If a broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot, cover the sharp or protruding portion with wax, cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheeks or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the child to a dentist immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child do not usually require emergency attention.
Broken Teeth
Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Immediate dental attention is necessary.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert the tooth in its socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or water. See a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Knocked Out Baby Tooth
Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. An office visit may be necessary to determine if there are other injuries present besides the lost baby tooth. Additionally, it is ideal to take an x-ray of the area to make certain that there are no remaining tooth fragments present in the jaws.
Other Emergency Conditions:
Possible Broken Jaw
If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaws from moving by using a towel, tie, or handkerchief. Take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze for 15 minutes. This may be repeated once, but if bleeding persists, see a dentist.
Cold / Canker Sores
Many children occasionally suffer from cold or canker sores. Usually over-the-counter preparations give some relief. Refraining from any acidic foods such as tomatoes or pickles, and drinks, such as orange or grapefruit juices can be helpful as they tend to cause pain to the sores. Because some serious diseases may begin as sores, it is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist.