Dental Emergency

If your child is in a critical condition or needs immediate medical attention, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Dental emergencies can be stressful, but knowing what to do in the moment can protect your child’s smile and reduce discomfort. Below are the most common pediatric dental emergencies and what to do until your child can be seen by our team.

What Should I Do If My Child Has a Toothache?

Tooth pain is one of the most common dental emergencies in children. A toothache can be caused by food stuck between teeth, a cavity, gum irritation, or even an injury.

Here’s what to do first:

• Gently clean the area around the tooth
• Rinse with warm water
• Use dental floss to remove trapped food or debris

If the pain continues, contact our office for guidance and next steps.

Important: Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, as this can burn the tissue.

What If My Child Injures Their Lip, Tongue, or Cheek?

Soft tissue injuries can happen during sports, playtime, or accidents at home.

What to do:

• Apply ice to reduce swelling
• If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure using clean gauze or a clean cloth

If bleeding lasts longer than 15 minutes or cannot be controlled, your child should be seen at the nearest emergency room.

What Should I Do If a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out?

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. Acting quickly may help save the tooth.

Steps to follow immediately:

• Pick up the tooth by the crown only (do not touch the root)
• If dirty, gently rinse with cold water only (no soap)
• If possible, place the tooth back into the socket
• Have your child bite down gently on sterile gauze
• Call our office immediately

If you cannot reinsert the tooth:

• Store it in a cup of milk or the child’s saliva
• If safe, your child may hold it in their mouth (only if they will not swallow it)

Time matters: your child should be seen as soon as possible.

What If a Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out?

If a baby tooth is knocked out, call our office.

Treatment may or may not be necessary depending on your child’s age, which tooth was affected, and whether the permanent tooth underneath may be impacted.

What Should I Do If a Permanent Tooth Is Chipped or Broken?

If a permanent tooth is chipped or fractured, quick care helps reduce the risk of complications.

What to do:

• Call our office right away
• Rinse the mouth with water
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
• If you find tooth fragments, save them and bring them with you

What If a Baby Tooth Is Chipped or Broken?

If your child chips a baby tooth:

• Call our office
• Check for other injuries
• Clean the area gently
• Apply a cold compress if swelling is present

Even baby teeth matter because they help guide the development of adult teeth.

What If I Think My Child Has a Broken Jaw?

If your child may have a jaw fracture:

• Immobilize the jaw as much as possible
• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately

How Can I Help Prevent Dental Emergencies?

While accidents can happen, prevention plays a big role in protecting your child’s smile.

Helpful prevention tips:

• Childproof your home to prevent falls
• Discourage chewing on hard items like ice or popcorn kernels
• Use proper safety measures in vehicles and during sports
• Consider a custom-fitted mouthguard for contact sports
• Maintain good brushing and flossing habits to reduce toothaches caused by cavities

What Should I Do If My Child Has an Orthodontic Appliance Emergency?

If braces or orthodontic appliances become damaged, call our office during patient hours to schedule a repair appointment. We are unable to accommodate walk-in emergencies.

Until your visit, you can try the following:

• If a wire is irritating the cheek or gums, cover it with beeswax or gently tuck it under the archwire
• If a band or bracket is loose, leave it in place and call us to schedule a repair
• If an archwire breaks or pokes, you may gently reposition it using a pencil eraser or trim it carefully with nail clippers, then contact our office if discomfort continues

You may also watch the video below for step-by-step guidance on handling orthodontic emergencies.