Emergencies

Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances arise and although all of us would like to completely prevent dental emergencies, we understand kids will be kids. We understand that a dental emergency can be a very stressful experience for children and their parents. When urgent care is required, we will provide care that is not only prompt, but served with compassion and kindness. Dr. Melanie and  is a member of the community and therefore has the ability to see to dental emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  However, if your child has suffered a head injury, especially one that resulted in a loss of consciousness, call a pediatrician or go to the ER immediately. Take care of those injuries before contacting the dentist.

1. Baby Tooth Falling Out:  Loose baby teeth can become discolored and cause pain, especially when eating and brushing.  Additionally, loose baby teeth may not fall out even after permanent teeth erupt.  These are not emergencies, but may cause your child discomfort.  Make an appointment so we can assess the situation and take action if the pain is serious.
2. Baby Tooth Knocked Out: We do not re-implant baby teeth, but we do need to see the child immediately.  Bring the tooth with you when you come. We will look for fragments in the gums, lips, and teeth. We also need to check for damage to the permanent teeth.
3. Permanent Tooth Knocked Out: Rinse the tooth with water.  Do not scrub it.  Put it back into the socket and hold it with gauze or a washcloth, if you are comfortable your child will not swallow it. An adult should assist a child with this. If the tooth will not go into the socket, place it in milk.
   Go to the dentist immediately.  The faster you seek treatment, the better the outcome will be.  In most cases, the patient will need a root canal.
4. Chipped Tooth: Place the chip in milk and bring it to the dentist immediately.  The dentist will attempt to replace it but in other cases, bonding will need to be used.
5. Toothache:Treat pain with an over the counter pain medication approved by your health care provider.  Use a salt-water mixture (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) to clean the area.  Visit the dentist immediately, especially if your child experiences any swelling.

Download Emergencies AAPD