Emergency Care

Bumped Tooth

If a tooth is bumped, the surrounding tissues may bleed and the tooth may become slightly loose.

• Apply cold compress if needed to help reduce swelling
• Eat a soft food diet and limited biting into foods with that tooth
• Avoid habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier
• Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin
• Call our office during normal business hours to schedule an appointment

**If the tooth is extremely loose or severely out of position, contact our office immediately

Broken, Chipped or Fractured Tooth

• Rinse the mouth out with warm water
• Apply cold compress to help reduce swelling of the soft tissue
• Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin to help alleviate any discomfort
• Locate and save any broken tooth fragments and place them in milk, bring with you to your appointment.
• If the fracture is SMALL, avoid using the tooth for eating, eat a soft food diet, limit habits such as pacifier or thumb sucking, and call our office during normal business hours to schedule an appointment.
• If the fracture is LARGE and more than half the tooth, you see pink in the middle or there is bleeding or sensitivity, call our office immediately.

Displaced Tooth (moved or intruded)

• Avoid moving teeth back into their original position
• Discourage habits such as pacifier or thumb sucking
• Encourage soft food diet
• Give Tylenol or Motrin to alleviate pain
• Apply cold compress to reduce swelling
• Contact our office immediately to schedule an appointment

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

It is possible the tooth could have already been slightly mobile according to age

• This is usually not an emergency, and in most cases, a quick follow up appointment is the only treatment necessary
• DO NOT replant the tooth as this could cause damage to the developing permanent tooth
• Apply cold compress to reduce swelling, manage any bleeding by biting on gauze or cloth
• If bleeding is difficult to control, have your child bite on tea bag for 15 minutes
• Avoid sucking through a bottle, sippy cup, straw or pacifier for 24 hours
• Contact our office to schedule an appointment

Knocked-Out Permanent (Adult) Tooth

• Find the tooth, hold by the crown portion and rinse it off with cool water (DO NOT touch the root of the tooth)
• Try to reinsert it in the socket if possible and have child hold tooth in place and get to the dentist immediately
• If you can’t put the tooth back in socket, place tooth in a clean container with cold milk
• Contact our office immediately – the faster you act the better the chances of saving the tooth

Toothache

A toothache can be caused by trauma, tooth decay, a lost filling, infection or even tooth eruption.

• Rinse the mouth with warm salty water
• Check the area of pain for any visible evidence
• Use dental floss or toothbrush to help dislodge any food that may be impacted
• Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin to help alleviate pain
• Use a cold compress to help alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling
• Contact our office during normal business hours to schedule an appointment

If your child has a severe toothache with swelling, fever or pain that is preventing them from eating or sleeping, please contact our office immediately.

Bitten Lip, Tongue or Cheek

Minor injuries can lead to mild cuts or abrasions.

• Clean the area gently with water, use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling
• Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin to help alleviate pain
• If bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth
• If bleeding cannot be controlled after 15 minutes, call us immediately to determine the severity or go to the nearest emergency room

Broken or Lost Filling, Crown or Appliance / Spacer

In most cases, this does not require after-hours care, unless there is swelling and severe discomfort

• Encourage a soft food diet
• Give over-the-counter pain reliever to help with any discomfort.
• Keep area clean and discourage your child from playing with area
• If appliance was completely dislodged, store in a small container and bring to the appointment
• Call our office during normal business hours to schedule an appointment