Smile Explorers take emergencies seriously. If you or your child has a dental emergency, such as a dislodged or chipped tooth, call us immediately and we’ll do whatever we can to help. In the case where a tooth is danger of being lost, acting quickly is crucial. As soon as we can, one of our experienced pediatric dentists will see your child and provide the critical care needed.
If your child has a toothache, it might be caused by impacted food. Clean the area around the painful tooth, and then have your child thoroughly rinse the mouth with warm water. See if dental floss can gently dislodge any food possibly caught between teeth. If your child continues to feel pain, do not use any topical treatments and do not apply a heat compress to your child’s tooth. It’s time to call Smile Explorers. If your child has a toothache and swelling in the cheek or jaw area, then apply a cold compress and contact Smile Explorers immediately for evaluation.
If your child’s baby tooth gets chipped or is even knocked out completely, the situation is likely not an emergency. Contact Smile Explorers soon, however, to minimize any risks or problems, and to determine if the missing tooth needs to be replaced with a spacer.
When a child experiences a chipped or fractured permanent tooth, it is important to contact Smile Explorers immediately. If the child is brought to our pediatric dentists very soon after the incident, it may be possible to save the tooth. Delays in bring the child to the dental office can increase the risk of infection and the possibility of needing much more dental work in the future. Don’t delay in going to the dental office – but if you can quickly find pieces of the tooth, bring them to our office.
If your child has a permanent tooth knocked out, try to quickly find the tooth. If you find the tooth, do not touch the root of the tooth – handle it only at the crown. Don’t try to clean it with soap, and don’t hold it too long. If the tooth has been broken into pieces, look for the pieces. If the tooth is whole, rinse it quickly with water and try to insert it back into the socket, while instructing your child to gently hold it in place by biting down on gauze. If the tooth cannot be inserted, place the tooth in a cup of milk or your child’s saliva. Do not delay – call Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry and then go to our Glendale, AZ, office immediately. Quick action is the most important factor in saving the tooth.
