Handling your child’s dental care is always unique, and this extends to dental emergencies. We hope you never encounter them with your kids, but it’s important to be prepared just in case. Today, the Children’s Dental Center will walk you through how to handle dental emergencies for kids, from a knocked-out tooth to a toothache that won’t quit.
Types of Dental Emergencies
We want to preface this by saying that if the emergency or injury is especially severe, you should call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department. In these situations, the Children’s Dental Center can help provide follow-up care after the initial emergency is addressed.
Let’s cover some of the potential dental emergencies your child can experience and a few of the approaches to help you when they occur. Remember that it’s important not to panic. Our pediatric dentists and our team are all experienced with these types of emergencies.
Knocked-Out Tooth
- Primary Tooth (aka Baby Tooth): If a baby tooth is knocked out by an external force, do not ever attempt to reinsert it. Call your dentist to determine if further treatment is needed. We will check for any damage to the underlying permanent tooth, which may not be obvious initially.
- Permanent Tooth: If a permanent tooth is knocked out, you should take a slightly different approach. Pick it up by the crown, the part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. Gently rinse it with water (do not scrub or remove any attached tissue). If you can, replace the tooth back into the socket or store it in a container of milk or saliva (yes, really!). In this scenario, seeking emergency dental care immediately is especially important, as time is crucial for saving the tooth. The best odds come when the tooth is back in place within 30 minutes.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
- Treatment: Start by rinsing your child’s mouth with warm water to clean the area thoroughly. Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and salvage any tooth fragments if possible. Contact our office to determine the next steps, which can include bonding or placing a crown to restore the tooth. If there’s no pain it may not need same-day care, but you should still call us soon so a small chip doesn’t crack further.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
- Treatment: Clean the area with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If bleeding is severe or doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of applying pressure, we recommend seeking emergency medical attention.
Object Stuck Between Teeth
- Treatment: You can begin by gently removing the object with dental floss and being extra careful not to cut the gums. Avoid using sharp objects like toothpicks, which can make matters worse. If you can’t remove the object, contact our nearest office.
Broken Braces or Wires
- Treatment: This is technically an orthodontic emergency, but our office can still be contacted to help should it occur. If a wire from braces breaks or protrudes, you can try to push it back into place with a cotton swab carefully. If that’s not possible or you don’t want to risk worsening the damage, cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax until you can get to us. Never attempt to cut the wire yourself. Contact your orthodontist for further advice and repair.
Abscess or Swelling
- Treatment: An abscess is classified as a painful, swollen area on the gum that might be filled with pus, indicating an infection. We recommend rinsing your child’s mouth with mild saltwater several times a day to help ease the pain and draw out the pus. Always seek immediate dental care if you suspect your child has an abscess, as it can lead to more serious infections if they aren’t addressed promptly. Swelling that comes with a fever is a reason to call right away.
Severe Toothache
- Treatment: Sometimes the culprit is trapped food, so start by gently brushing and flossing around the tooth and rinsing with warm water. Avoid giving your child aspirin or placing it on the aching tooth, and skip heat, which can make the problem worse. If there’s swelling, use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. Once you visit our office, we will be able to diagnose the source of the pain, which could range from a cavity to a more serious cause, like an infection.
Dental Intrusion (Tooth Pushed into Gum)
- Treatment: Sometimes, a tooth can be pushed into the gum due to some force of trauma, which we call a dental intrusion. You should find emergency dental care immediately. Our team will determine the best course of action, which may involve manually repositioning the tooth or allowing it to re-erupt naturally.
Loose or Shifted Permanent Tooth
- Treatment: If a fall or a hit caused a permanent tooth to loosen or move out of place, do not force it back. Have your child bite down gently to hold it steady and call us right away.
Possible Broken Jaw or Facial Injury
- Treatment: A broken jaw or facial bone is a medical emergency first and a dental one second, especially since these injuries usually come from a hard blow to the head. Apply a cold compress and go to the hospital immediately. If any teeth were knocked out, bring them along in a cup of milk or a wet cloth. Once your child is stable, we can take care of any damage to the teeth and mouth.
What Needs Same-Day Care and What Can Wait
Some problems can wait for a regular appointment, but others need care right away. If you’re not sure which one you’re dealing with, call us and we’ll help you sort it out.
These need same-day attention:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- A permanent tooth that’s loose, shifted or pushed into the gum
- Swelling, an abscess or signs of infection like pus or fever
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
These should still be seen soon:
- A chipped or cracked tooth with no pain
- Broken braces or a poking wire you’ve covered with wax
- A mild toothache or something stuck between teeth that floss won’t free
How to Reach Us in an Emergency
We know emergencies don’t follow a neat schedule. If your child is in pain or you suspect a dental emergency during office hours, call the office closest to you. After hours, listen to the voicemail for instructions and you’ll be connected to our on-call dentist. We always have a provider available to speak with you and offer clear next steps.
Common Myths About Kids’ Dental Emergencies
In the age of the Internet, it can be hard to discern what’s true and what isn’t. Here are a few beliefs we hear from parents that can lead to waiting too long.
Myth #1: Baby teeth aren’t important. Many parents think baby teeth don’t matter since they eventually fall out. However, baby teeth play a major role in guiding the development of permanent teeth. Early loss can lead to space issues, misalignment and speech or eating difficulties.
Myth #2: It’s fine to wait and see. Delaying care can turn a minor problem into a far bigger one. A minor chip might not hurt now, but it can crack further or become infected if left untreated. Some injuries, like dental intrusions or gum abscesses, require prompt evaluation even if your child seems unbothered.
Myth #3: No pain means no problem. Pain isn’t the only sign of a dental issue. Infection, nerve damage or structural issues might not hurt initially, but can progress quickly. If a tooth is loose, discolored or out of place, get it checked even if your child isn’t complaining.
Myth #4: Only visible damage is worth calling about. A swollen face, a small sore or bleeding gums may not seem urgent but could signal a deeper issue. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to call and rule out a serious problem.
How to Lower the Odds of a Dental Emergency
Emergencies can always happen, but a few smart habits can help dramatically reduce the odds for your child.
- Have your child wear a mouthguard during contact sports.
- Avoid chewing hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels or hard candy.
- Let kids know that teeth should never be used to open packages.
- Always use car seats for young children and seatbelts for older children.
- Child-proof your house to avoid falls.
- Keep up with your child’s routine dental checkups to catch small problems early.
- Add our phone number to your emergency contacts.
Questions Parents Ask About Dental Emergencies
What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?
Don’t try to put it back in. Call your dentist so we can check whether any treatment is needed and look for damage to the permanent tooth underneath, which isn’t always obvious right away.
How fast does a knocked-out permanent tooth need care?
As fast as possible. The tooth has the best chance when it’s back in place within 30 minutes. Hold it by the crown, rinse it gently with water and either place it back in the socket or keep it in milk or saliva on the way to our office.
When should I go to the ER instead of the dentist?
Call 911 or head to the nearest emergency department for a severe injury, a possible broken jaw or facial bone, a hard blow to the head or bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure. We can provide follow-up care once the immediate emergency is handled.
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?
If the chip hurts or the tooth is sensitive, call us right away. If there’s no pain it may not need same-day care, but it should still be checked soon so it doesn’t crack further or become infected.
What if my child has a dental emergency after hours?
Call the office and listen to the voicemail for instructions. You’ll be connected to our on-call dentist, who can talk you through next steps.
Being Prepared is Key
We understand that any of these experiences can be jarring for parents. But once again, please be assured that Children’s Dental Center offers singular care to kids in Memphis. If you’ve been looking for dental care for your child in Arlington, Collierville or Midtown, look no further.