Dental Emergency Info

First, evaluate the tooth for any lodged food or debris. If the pain lasts longer than a few minutes, children’s pain medication (i.e., ibuprofen or acetaminophen) may help to alleviate some of the pain.

Next, call our office to let us know what’s going on and determine if you should bring your child in for a visit.

Knowing the answers to these questions will help us to give you the most accurate diagnosis:

• Does it hurt when eating or drinking?
• Does it hurt when chewing?
• Is there any swelling/redness of the face, gum tissue, or both?
• Is the pain keeping your child up at night?

Apply ice to the injured areas to help control any swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth.

Most times, there is no need for further treatment, but if the bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call a pediatrician or visit the hospital emergency room as this may be a more serious medical issue.

This is not usually an emergency, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary. Children lose up to 20 baby teeth at varying times from the ages of 4-12 years old.

However, you should still attempt to find the tooth. Evaluate the area for any remaining pieces, oftentimes you may see the permanent tooth where the baby tooth was previously located.

If you are unable to find the baby tooth after being knocked out, please evaluate your child’s stools and breathing. If any changes are noticed in breathing, visit the emergency room immediately.

If possible, find the tooth. These emergencies are time-sensitive, and your pediatric dentist should see the child WITHIN 1 HOUR for the best chance of success replacing the tooth.

Hold the tooth by the crown, not by the root. You may GENTLY rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily.

Next, inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk until you can come into our office.

Time is an essential factor here if the nerve of the tooth is exposed, so contact our office right away. Taking appropriate steps early can prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment.

If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to your emergency visit. Transport the broken pieces in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk to keep them sanitized.

Contact our office to schedule a time to see Dr. Camp. Try to avoid eating in that area until your child can be examined and soft foods are recommended if possible.

A permanent tooth that feels loose or one that is noticeably out of alignment should be fixed as soon as possible.

Don’t try to force it back into position. Instead, apply light pressure, or have your child gently bite it down until we are able to see them.

An abscess is an infection around the tooth’s root or gumline and it can be very painful. It may also cause swelling in the soft tissues.

Abscesses should be treated immediately at our office to prevent the infection from spreading to any other part of the body. Call our Atlanta office as soon as you notice the presence of an abscess.

If your child has sustained an injury to the face that has resulted in broken bones and/or teeth, it should absolutely be treated as both a medical and dental emergency. Once any immediate danger has passed, the damage to the mouth can be assessed and treated.

Although oral issues that don’t require more urgent care can normally be dealt with during regular office hours, you should arrange for your child to visit Inman Park Pediatric Dentistry as soon as possible once a problem has been noted, as delayed treatment can lead to serious complications.

Wires from broken appliances can injure the soft tissues of the mouth, potentially cause bleeding, and make it difficult to speak and eat.

Damaged appliances should be fixed immediately to avoid discomfort or injury. Contact our office and we’ll schedule an appointment for Dr. Camp to repair any damage.