Dental emergencies happen at the most unexpected times. If your child faces a dental emergency, we are here to help! Getting help quickly can help rid your child of pain and prevent the problem from getting worse. Call one of our Florida offices right away if your child needs dental help. We will work to fit your child into our schedule as soon as possible to relieve their pain and treat their dental emergency.
Broken Tooth
If your child has a broken tooth, first gently clean their mouth to rid any loose pieces of the tooth. Applying a cold compress, such as a wet washcloth, to the outside of their mouth can help treat any swelling. Seeking emergency care for a broken tooth is important, so call our office right away.
Knocked Out Tooth
Permanent Tooth: Save the tooth in a container of milk until your child can be seen by their dentist. Only handle the tooth by the crown, never the root. If the tooth can be placed back in the socket, have your child hold it in place by biting on a piece of gauze or a washcloth while waiting to be seen. If possible, try to get your child into our office within 30 minutes to try to save the tooth.
Primary (Baby) Teeth: If a primary tooth is knocked out, you do not need to place it back in the socket. Doing so can cause harm to the permanent tooth that is underneath the gums. Schedule a visit to have your child’s mouth examined. Treatment options can be discussed if your child is in need of a tooth restoration or space maintainer.
Toothaches
Toothaches can occur for many reasons including infection, injury or an abscess. It’s important to have your child seen by their dentist to determine the cause of the toothache. Left untreated, toothaches can worsen over time. While waiting to be seen, you can rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water to relieve discomfort from any infection. Carefully flossing and brushing is also recommended to keep the area clean. Your child’s dentist can determine the cause of the toothache and help guide you toward the best treatment options.
Bitten Tongue, Cheek Or Lip
A tongue, cheek or lip injury can occur in an area that has been numbed, or often from an accident. When a child cannot feel an area in their mouth, it can easily be injured when they bite down, and a chipped or broken tooth can actually cut or scrape the soft tissues of the mouth. If this happens, rinse their mouth with warm salt water. Continue to brush and floss their teeth. You can apply a topical anesthetic to the area that is injured. A cold compress can be used to treat swelling. If the injury is severe, call with any questions and schedule an appointment if necessary.
If your child has a pediatric dental emergency, call one of our Florida offices right away!