Dental Emergencies
When a child experiences a dental emergency due to a broken, cracked or dislodged tooth, or they lose a crown or filling, this can be a frightening experience for both the child and the parent. At Georgia Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry, we understand and you can count on us to handle your dental emergencies quickly and with the same calming manner children are used to experiencing at our office. If Georgia Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry is not your regular dental provider, please do not hesitate to call on that account. We care about all kids and would welcome your child to our office for any type of dental emergency.
Emergency Dental Care for Children
If your child should experience a toothache, a chipped tooth, or loss of a tooth due to an accident or trauma, call us at Georgia Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry for emergency dental care. Our pediatric dentist will evaluate the situation and offer treatment options and reassurance to you and your child. We are happy to provide the emergency care needed to protect your child’s health and their teeth.
How to handle common dental emergencies*:
Trauma
IF YOUR CHILD HAS SUFFERED TRAUMA INCLUDING BLACKING OUT, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, NAUSEA, VOMITING, OR SEVERE PAIN, PLEASE TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
1. STOP THE BLEEDING
Apply pressure to the wound with clean gauze or a washcloth to help stop the bleeding.
2a. LOOSE OR CHIPPED TOOTH
If you can locate the piece of tooth that is chipped, place it in a cup of milk or your child’s saliva to bring to the office. If the tooth is very loose have your child bite down gently to keep it in place and discourage your child from moving the tooth. If you child cannot be seen immediately have them on a liquid or very soft diet in the meantime.
2b. KNOCKED OUT ADULT TOOTH
A permanent adult tooth that is completely knocked out needs dental care immediately. If you are unsure if the tooth is a baby or adult tooth, contact the office immediately. If you are confident it is an adult tooth and if it is not dirty, you may attempt to reimplant the tooth into the socket. Be very careful on how the tooth is handled and touch only the crown of the tooth. After you reimplant it, have your child keep it in place by biting gently on gauze or a small towel. Contact our office immediately for an appointment. If the tooth is dirty, you are unsure, or your child is uncooperative, place the tooth in a cup of milk or your child’s own saliva and contact us immediately. Do not try to clean off the tooth.
2c. KNOCKED OUT BABY TOOTH
Do not attempt to reimplant or replace a knocked out baby tooth as it can cause damage to the developing adult tooth underneath. Control the bleeding and contact the office.
Toothache
IF YOUR CHILD HAS SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE SWELLING OF THE EYE, JAW, OR NECK TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IMMEDIATELY.
Examine the tooth and the area around and below it. Look for a bubble or swelling of the gums, as this could indicate an abscess, which may be treated with an antibiotic prior to additional dental treatment. Call our office for an emergency dental appointment. To ease the discomfort of a toothache, have your child rinse their mouth with warm salt water. A cold compress can also be applied to the face to bring down swelling. Pain medication such as children’s strength Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) can be given as well.
Lip, Cheek or Tongue Bite
It is best to avoid having your child bite their own lip, cheek, or tongue by accident following dental treatment while they are still numb. We encourage you to monitor your child during this time and do not advise eating until the numbness has worn off. If a bite does occur, not to worry, it will heal. Place a cold compress on the area affected and have your child take children’s ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin). Place your child on a soft diet to avoid re-biting the area. It may take 1 or 2 weeks to heal completely.
Our team at Georgia Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry is dedicated to the dental health of your family. When you have dental emergencies, contact our caring team right away. We will arrange an emergency appointment to repair your child’s teeth and ensure their continued healthy, beautiful smile.
*The information provided on this page is not a substitute for an examination by a licensed dental professional or physician. This is merely a guide to help our patients in the case of an emergency.