Dental Emergencies

In the event of a dental emergency, it is crucial to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the well-being of your child's oral health. If your child sustains a head injury or any other life-threatening emergency, it is imperative to prioritize their overall safety by contacting 911 or seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency room to rule out any serious underlying issues before visiting the dentist. However, for urgent dental concerns such as severe tooth pain, knocked-out teeth, or oral injuries, do not hesitate to reach out to us promptly.

Dr. Kailey and our dedicated staff are committed to providing prompt and effective care to alleviate your child's dental discomfort and address any urgent dental needs. Remember, in times of dental emergencies, quick action and professional intervention can make a significant difference in ensuring the best possible outcome for your child's oral health.

Lip, Tongue, or Cheek Injury

If your child experiences trauma to the lips, gums, or cheek, apply a cold compress to the area. Inspect the mouth to see if any teeth are loose or broken. If a tooth is fractured, make your best effort to locate the broken tooth fragment.

Give MOTRIN® or TYLENOL® to reduce inflammation or pain. Call our office to see if an appointment is needed.

Facial Swelling

If you notice facial swelling or a swollen cheek, call our office immediately. Facial swelling can become a medical emergency. If the swelling approaches the eye or affects your child’s ability to swallow, breath, or speak, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Toothache

If your child reports a toothache, please give us a call. Before calling, it is helpful if you ask him or her the following questions:
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1Where does it hurt? (Have them point with their finger)

2 What things cause it to hurt?

3 How long has it been hurting?
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If the tooth hurts spontaneously or wakes your child from sleep they may need an immediate appointment.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Knocking out a PERMANENT tooth is a dental emergency. Do not touch the root of the tooth and put the tooth in COLD MILK as soon as possible to help preserve the cells on the root. Call our office immediately. The tooth can be saved and put back into the mouth if your child can make it to our office within a few hours. The sooner we can reimplant the tooth, the better the outcome.
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If your child knocks out a BABY tooth, we cannot reimplant it. If the tooth were put back in, it could damage the developing permanent tooth. Rinse your child’s mouth and have them apply constant pressure with gauze or a washcloth. 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 a tooth, find the broken piece and call our office. If you find the broken fragment, we can reattach the tooth fragment to make the tooth whole. If you are unable to locate the fragment, Dr. Kailey will rebuild the tooth by hand using color-matched tooth-colored materials to make the tooth look like new.