Our Services / Pediatric Dental Emergency

What is a pediatric dental emergency?

The best way to think about emergency dentistry is to decide if your child’s needs could wait to be addressed during a normally scheduled visit. If your little one is in pain or has damaged a tooth, pediatric emergency dentistry is the right choice. 

Some examples of pediatric dental emergencies include:

• Severe tooth or jaw pain
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Broken tooth
• Bleeding or damage to tongue, lips, or other soft tissues
• Object lodged in teeth or gums
• Knocked-out tooth

If your little one is in pain or you spot signs of tooth or soft tissue damage, coming in for an emergency dental visit is the right course of action. 

How should I respond to a dental emergency?

The first thing you should try to do is remain calm. Kids pick up on parental stress, and handling the situation calmly can help your child avoid undue stress. 

Begin by assessing your child’s overall condition. If there has been any form of trauma, check for bleeding or broken bones.

If the damage seems to be limited to the mouth, do a quick visual check to see if any teeth have been chipped, cracked, broken, or knocked out. If there is bleeding, have your child bite down gently on a piece of gauze or clean cloth to stop the bleeding. 

If there is swelling or pain, cold compresses can help. Never apply ice directly on the skin or teeth, but a bag of crushed ice wrapped in a clean towel makes a great compress. 

Call Desert Kids Dentistry to explain the situation and determine your next steps. 

What should I do for a knocked-out tooth?

A knocked-out tooth is among the most common types of pediatric dental emergencies. Knowing how to respond to this type of trauma can make the difference between saving and losing the tooth. 

Begin by locating the knocked-out tooth, avoiding touching the root portion. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it under a gentle stream of lukewarm water to remove any debris. 

For older kids, you can try to place the tooth back into the socket and have them bite down on a piece of gauze or cloth to hold it in place. For younger kids, the risk of swallowing the tooth is higher, so place it in a small container, and cover it with warm milk. 

Call the office right away to let them know you’re coming in for an emergency dental visit. Make your way to the office as quickly as possible, remembering to drive safely. Online scheduling is always an option for less urgent dental care needs.