Trauma and Emergency Care
For some dental emergencies, rapid treatment is essential for the child’s safety or to save the tooth. Kids Dental provides after-hours emergency care for our patients. We recommend parents save our number for dental emergencies.
Dental Infection
Infections that cause extraoral swelling or fever are an emergency no matter the time of day. The most serious concern with an infected tooth is the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the head and neck. If extraoral swelling or fever due to dental infection is present, contact Kid’s Dental immediately, or go to the emergency department.
Basic Guidelines on Oral Trauma
First things first: Immediately evaluate the mouth, head, face, or neck for further injuries. Some examples of serious injury include concussion, fracture, or tooth aspiration. A hit to the head causing loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, or odd behavior requires immediate attention; go to the closest hospital’s emergency department, or call 911. A chipped or knocked out tooth where the chip or tooth cannot be found and there is a concern for aspiration (inhaling the tooth into the lungs) also requires immediate evaluation in the hospital emergency department, or call 911.
If a tooth is broken or chipped, if possible find and save the chip, and call Kids Dental without delay.
If a baby tooth is knocked out, if possible find and save the tooth. Do not put the tooth back in the child’s mouth. Call Kids Dental without delay.
If an adult tooth is knocked out, the best option is to rinse it with water and put it back in the socket as soon as possible. If the tooth is unable to be placed into the socket then place it in milk immediately. A knocked-out permanent tooth can heal if put back in place quickly enough. Call Kids Dental without delay.