Toothache:

Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm salt-water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be used as needed. Make sure to call our office to set up an appointment.

Swelling of the Face:

If there is swelling of the face, cheek, chin, under the eye that is related to a cavity or a dental abscess, gently apply a warm compress to the area. Contact our office, or go to a local emergency room as soon as possible. A dental abscess can potentially be life threatening depending on the size and location, and should be evaluated and / or treated in a timely manner.

Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek:

Apply ice to injured areas to help control swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call a doctor or visit the hospital emergency room. Injuries in the mouth look different from cuts or scrapes on the skin. The oral tissues may have a whitish, or yellowish appearance. This is generally normal healing. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office to set up an appointment for your child.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth:

If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water or Hank's balanced salt solution. DO NOT clean with soap, bleach, or other cleaning products. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a piece of gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient's saliva, milk, or Hank's balanced salt solution. If the child is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient's mouth (beside the cheek). Call our office IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

Knocked Out Baby Tooth:

Contact our office during business hours. This is not usually an emergency, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary. We would like to see your child within a day or two after an injury to rule out any possible fractures.

Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth:

Contact our office immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with warm salt water to reduce swelling. If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments; store them in milk, saliva or Hank's balanced salt solution, and bring them with you to our office.

Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth:

Contact our office during business hours. This is usually not an emergency, but we would like to see your child within a day or two after an injury and rule out any fractures of the root of the tooth, or the bone.

Loose or Broken Space Maintainer:

Contact our office during business hours. This is usually not an emergency. If the space maintainer is loose, or has fallen out, bring it with you to your appointment so we can re-cement it. If the space maintainer is broken, call us for an appointment, the space-maintainer will most likely need to be remade or repaired. If needed, orthodontic wax can be placed over the broken wire to prevent it from causing any discomfort.