Dental Emergency

Toothache

Tooth pain rarely occurs without a cause and may be related to decay, trauma, impacted food, or erupting teeth.

How you can help:

1. Rinse the mouth gently with warm water

2. Remove any trapped food with floss or a toothbrush

3. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling

4. Avoid placing medication directly on the tooth or gums

5. Contact the dentist if pain persists

Knocked-Out Tooth (Dental Avulsion)

If a tooth has been knocked out of the child’s mouth, it is important to contact the pediatric dentist immediately. While baby teeth cannot be reimplanted, pediatric dentists always attempt to reimplant avulsed permanent teeth, allowing your child to keep their natural tooth.

The reimplantation procedure is almost always more successful if it is performed within one hour of the avulsion, so time is of the essence!

How you can help:

1. Handle the tooth by the crown only (do not touch the root)

2. Rinse gently with water—do not scrub

3. Place the tooth back in the socket if possible (older children only)

4. If not, store it in milk or saliva

5. Seek emergency dental care immediately

Tooth Pushed Into the Jaw

Trauma may cause a tooth to be forced upward into the jawbone. This is called dental intrusion. Depending on the nature and depth of the intrusion, the pediatric dentist will either wait for the tooth to descend naturally or perform root canal therapy to preserve the tooth's structure.

How you can help:

• Rinse the mouth with cold water

• Apply ice to reduce swelling

• Offer age-appropriate pain relief

• Contact the dentist

Displaced Tooth

The term “extrusion” refers to a tooth that has become partly removed from its socket. On the other hand, a “luxated tooth” remains in the socket with the pulp intact.

Dental treatment should be sought for permanent teeth that have been displaced to save the tooth and prevent infection. It is important to contact the pediatric dentist if displacement is suspected.

How you can help:

1. Apply a cold compress

2. Provide pain relief as needed

3. Contact the dentist immediately

Chipped or Fractured Tooth

Minor enamel chips may not be urgent, but deeper fractures exposing the pulp require immediate care.

How you can help:

1. Rinse the mouth with warm water

2. Apply a cold compress

3. Avoid chewing on the affected side

4. Save any broken tooth fragments if possible

5. Contact the dentist right away

Root Fracture

A root fracture is caused by direct trauma and isn’t noticeable to the naked eye. If a root fracture is suspected, dental X-rays need to be taken. Depending on the exact position of the fracture and the child’s level of discomfort, the tooth can be monitored, treated, or extracted as a last resort.

How you can help:

1. Apply a cold compress

2. Offer pain relief

3. Contact the dentist for evaluation

Dental Concussion

A tooth that has not been dislodged from its socket or fractured, but has received a bang or knock, can be described as “concussed.” Typically occurring in toddlers, dental concussion can cause the tooth to discolor permanently or temporarily.

What to know:

1. Mild discoloration may occur

2. Treatment may not be necessary unless pain worsens or the tooth darkens significantly.

Injuries to the Cheek, Lip, or Tongue

Soft-tissue injuries can bleed heavily.

How you can help:

1. Apply firm pressure with clean gauze

2. Use ice to reduce swelling

3. Seek medical attention if bleeding does not stop

Jaw or Head Injury

Suspected jaw fractures or head trauma require immediate medical evaluation.

What to do:

1. Do not move the jaw

2. Go directly to the Emergency Room