Here are some guidelines on what to do in a dental emergency. If you follow the guidelines below and the symptoms do not improve, or if you have any doubt that your child's health is at risk, contact your dentist immediately or take the child to the hospital emergency room.
Toothache
Clean the area of the affected tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris. If the pain still exists, contact your child's dentist.
Do not place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact your dentist immediately.
Cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth.
If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to the hospital emergency room.
Knocked out permanent tooth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth, but do not clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily.
Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it sounds intact, try to reinsert it into the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on gauze.
If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient's saliva or milk. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient's mouth.
The patient must see a dentist immediately. Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
