When Life Happens
If your child has suffered a serious injury to the head or any other life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room.
If your child faces a dental emergency, call our office immediately. We’re always here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk. Here are some tips on dealing with urgent dental situations.
Facial Swelling
If you notice facial swelling or a swollen cheek, please call our office immediately.
However, if facial swelling approaches the eye or is causing your child to have trouble breathing, this is a medical emergency and you need to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Toothache
If your child has a toothache, ask him or her what makes it hurt.
If it hurts spontaneously or continuously, please make an appointment immediately. We don’t want your child to be in pain. If the pain was an isolated event, be sure there is no food debris caught between the teeth or in the gums. Administer MOTRIN® and make an appointment if any pain continues.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, this is a dental emergency.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth:
If possible, locate the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily.
Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it's sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk, NOT water. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Knocked-Out Baby Tooth:
If your child knocks out a baby tooth, we can’t put it back in the mouth. The priority is not to damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Rinse your child’s mouth and have him or her bite on a cold washcloth. Call our office to see if an appointment is needed. Find the tooth and get them excited about the tooth fairy! We hear the tooth fairy is extra generous with an unexpected tooth loss!
Broken Tooth
If your child breaks or chips a permanent tooth, try to find the pieces of the tooth.
Next, apply a cold compress to the area and contact our dental office at (405) 585-2005 to make an appointment.
Cut Lip, Tongue or Cheek
If your child falls or has trauma to the lips, gums or cheek, apply a cold compress to the sites that are bleeding.
Inspect the mouth to see if any teeth are loose. Administer MOTRIN® (preferred) or TYLENOL® to reduce inflammation and pain. Call our office to see if an appointment is needed.