Emergencies

TOOTHACHE:  Clean the area of the tooth.  Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted.  If the pain still exists, contact our office.  Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth.  If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact our office immediately.

CUT OR BITTEN TONGUE, LIP or CHEEK:  Apply ice to injured areas to help control swelling.  If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with gauze or cloth.

If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call your pediatrician or seek emergency care.

KNOCKED OUT BABY TOOTH: Call our office.

KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH:  Call our office.  If possible, find the tooth.  Try not to touch the root portion of the tooth. You may rinse the tooth with water only.  DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily.  If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket.  If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk.

CHIPPED OR FRACTURED TOOTH:  Call our office.  Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses if any lip trauma present.

SEVERE BLOW TO THE HEAD: Call 911, or take your child to nearest emergency room immediately.

POSSIBLE BROKEN/FRACTURED JAW:  Keep the jaw from moving and take your child to the nearest emergency room.