Response for dental emergencies
Get help answering your dental emergency questions and choosing an appropriate plan of action. We have an after-hours doctor on call to handle emergencies for our patients.
Get help answering your dental emergency questions and choosing an appropriate plan of action. We have an after-hours doctor on call to handle emergencies for our patients.
Mon. – Thurs.: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Fri.: 8:00am – noon
Plan of action: If possible, find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown and not by the root. You may gently rinse the tooth with water only. Do not scrub the tooth. Try to place the tooth back into the socket and then hold it in place with your finger or by biting on a towel. If you can’t reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing your child’s saliva or milk.
Plan of action: Never reinsert a baby tooth. This is usually not an emergency, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary. It is recommended to find the tooth to confirm it was not swallowed. An x-ray may be recommended to confirm the tooth was not pushed into the gum.
Plan of action: This is usually not an emergency. Be prepared to answer questions relating to sensitivity and size of fracture. Our dentist will determine if a nerve has been exposed; we will then determine the timing and need for treatment.
Plan of action: Clean the area of the affected tooth with a toothbrush and use dental floss to remove any food that may be impacted. Look for signs of an abscess or swelling. Ibuprofen or Tylenol is recommended for tooth pain. We do not recommend the use of Ora-gel.
Plan of action: Our pediatric dentist will determine the treatment needed and if your child will need to be placed on an antibiotic. A referral for a root canal may be recommended for a permanent tooth. Most abscessed primary teeth need to be extracted.
Plan of action: If your child had dental treatment and bit his/her lip, cheek, or tongue, it may look like a yellow strawberry for 3-5 days. It is not an infection; it is tissue regenerating. It is critical to keep the area clean and avoid salty, acidic foods. If necessary take Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
Plan of action: When baby teeth are loose, allow your child to wiggle them out. This will prevent permanent teeth from erupting in the wrong place. The lower incisors often erupt behind the baby teeth and the tongue helps push them forward and out. Typically, extractions are not needed for the primary lower central incisors but may be recommended for the primary upper incisors.