Specializing in Dentistry
for infants, children, teens and
those with special needs
Accidents happen.
If your child needs emergency treatment, please call us as early in the day as possible. After office hours, we are available for current patients of our practice. Please call the office and the answering machine will give you the contact number to page Dr. Scott Lawrence or Dr. Jen-Fan Weng.
Injuries to the mouth, face and teeth happen frequently in children. There are a few things a parent can do to evaluate the emergency and make your child more comfortable.
Remaining calm and taking prompt action will help minimize the damaging effects of the injury and lessen your child's discomfort and anxiety. If the injury causes them to lose consciousness, even for a brief moment, your child should see a physician immediately and worry about the mouth and teeth later. Try to stop any bleeding with a clean washcloth or gauze. As you do this, check for broken teeth and/or missing teeth. If there are missing teeth, look for them.
Gently clean or rinse dirt from the area around the break. To minimize lip or facial swelling, place a cold compress on the face in the area of the broken tooth. If the fracture is more than one-half of the tooth, or you see a pink/red dot in the center of the tooth, contact our office immediately.
For permanent teeth - Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it in cold water, but DO NOT scrub or handle the root unnecessarily. Try to replace the tooth into the socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by closing on a gauze pad or washcloth. If it is not possible to replace the tooth, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or if this is not available, cool water. Go to the dentist or emergency room immediately. Time is important for saving the tooth.
For primary (baby) teeth - Teeth are not re-implanted; however, a dentist should verify that the teeth are not intruded (pushed up in the gums so you can not see them).
Clean the area around the tooth. Rinse the mouth with water, brush gently with a toothbrush and use dental floss to remove any trapped food between the teeth. DO NOT place aspirin on the gums or tooth. This will cause a burn to the gum tissues. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. If there is swelling, apply cold compress to the outside of the face; your child may need antibiotics, please call us immediately.
If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Apply an ice compress to the injured area. If bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room.
Do not move the jaw. Stabilize the jaw by tying a towel, necktie, etc., over the top of the head. Apply cold compresses. Go to an oral surgeon or hospital emergency room immediately.
Fold a gauze pad or clean washcloth over the bleeding area. Keep it in place for 15 minutes, then repeat as necessary.
Some children will get these periodically. Over the counter medications will usually provide relief (Zilactin or Orabase). If they persist or are extreme, schedule a visit.
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