Pediatric Dental Emergencies

What Parents Need to Know About Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Even with preventive and routine care, dental emergencies can happen. Often, the difference between saving and losing a tooth depends on taking the right steps immediately after an injury.

In Case of a Dental Emergency, Contact Us ASAP for:

  • A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth

  • A chipped or broken tooth

  • A cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek requiring sutures

  • A toothache accompanied by facial swelling

Our primary goals when treating a dental or oral injury are to:

  • Save teeth at risk of being lost

  • Prevent or treat infection

  • Restore function in the best possible way

What to Do If a Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out

A knocked-out baby tooth is generally less serious than a permanent tooth, but an exam is still recommended.

  1. Comfort your child and control any bleeding by applying light pressure with a sterile gauze pad.

  2. Locate the knocked-out tooth to ensure it wasn’t swallowed. It’s important to find the tooth to confirm it wasn’t pushed into the gums or that part of it doesn’t remain in the bone.

  3. Don’t attempt to reinsert the baby tooth into the socket, as this could damage the underlying permanent tooth.

  4. Schedule an appointment for a thorough examination and potential x-rays to check for damage to surrounding or unerupted permanent teeth.

  5. Sometimes, a space maintainer may be necessary to prevent nearby teeth from shifting and to ensure proper eruption of permanent teeth.

  6. If the knocked-out tooth is a front tooth, we can make a temporary bridge called a "pedo-partial" if desired for aesthetic reasons, tailored to the child's specific needs.

What to Do If a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out

Time and prompt action are crucial when a permanent tooth is knocked out. For the best outcome, your child should be seen within one hour. Follow these steps:

  1. Call us immediately. After hours, our voicemail will provide an emergency contact number.

  2. Take a photo of the injury area to help assess the severity.

  3. Find the tooth and gently place it back into the socket if possible.

  4. Press down on the tooth with your thumb until the crown is level with adjacent teeth, then have your child bite down on gauze or cloth to stabilize the tooth.

  5. If reinsertion isn’t possible, place the tooth in a plastic bag with milk to keep it moist.

  6. Alternatively, use a Save-a-Tooth kit, which is affordable and convenient to keep on hand, especially if your child participates in sports.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

If your child chips or breaks a tooth due to a fall, sports injury, or biting down on hard foods:

  1. Rinse their mouth with warm water to clean the area.

  2. Use sterile gauze to stop bleeding and apply ice to reduce swelling if needed.

  3. Contact us for a dental exam and x-rays to determine the extent of the damage.

Note: If there is a history of unconsciousness, nausea, or vomiting, or if the incident was not witnessed, it’s wise to go directly to a hospital for evaluation, then follow up with us as soon as possible.

Dental Fracture Classes

  • Class 1: Fracture in the enamel layer

  • Class 2: Fracture into the dentin layer

  • Class 3: Fracture reaching the pulp

  • Class 4: Fracture of the root

Treatment depends on the fracture’s class and whether the tooth is permanent or primary.

Cuts or Bites to the Tongue, Cheek, or Lip

If your child bites or cuts their lip, tongue, or cheek:

  1. Gently clean the area with warm water and apply a cold compress.

  2. For uncontrolled bleeding, call 911.

  3. If bleeding is manageable, come to our office or an emergency room to determine if stitches are necessary. We will check for any embedded tooth fragments or other dental involvement.

Toothache With Facial Swelling

Toothaches can result from cavities, trauma, abscesses, gum issues, loose baby teeth, or even something lodged between teeth. Severe pain or facial swelling may indicate an abscess, which can spread if untreated.

If your child has a toothache, contact us immediately for an appointment. Do not wait for an abscess to form.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Simple precautions can help avoid dental accidents and injuries:

  • Schedule dental check-ups every six months to ensure strong, healthy teeth.

  • Establish a daily oral care routine from infancy onward.

  • Ask us about a custom mouthguard and proper helmet for sports or recreational activities.

  • Supervise young children to avoid running with objects like pencils or toys in their mouths.

  • Minimize trip hazards in the home and use gates to block stairways or dangerous areas for young children.