Dental Emergencies

Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth
thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that
may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact your child’s
dentist. Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth.
If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact your dentist
immediately.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek: Apply ice to injured areas to
help control swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle
pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by
simple pressure, call a doctor or visit the hospital emergency room.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth: If possible, find the tooth. Handle it
by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only.
DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect
the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the
socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or
clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a
cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk, NOT water. If the patient
is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth
(beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a
critical factor in saving the tooth.

Knocked Out Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist. Unlike with a
permanent tooth, the baby tooth should not be replanted due to possible
damage to the developing permanent tooth. In most cases, no treatment
is necessary.

Chipped/Fractured Permanent Tooth: Time is a critical factor, contact
your pediatric dentist immediately so as to reduce the chance for
infection or the need for extensive dental treatment in the future.
Rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce
swelling. If you can find the broken tooth piece, bring it with you to
the dentist.

Chipped/Fractured Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist.

Severe Blow to the Head: Call 911 immediately or ake your child to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw: Keep the jaw from moving and take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room.

source: dentists4kids.com website