At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that dental emergencies can cause significant anxiety and are here to support you and your little one every step of the way. Our team is trained and fully equipped to provide our young patients with the needed urgent care for the best possible outcomes. The question is, how do you know if your child is experiencing a true dental emergency?

Is It a True Dental Emergency?

If you’re not quite sure whether the situation you’re dealing with is a true dental emergency, consider the following questions:

• Is there intense, persistent tooth pain?
• Is there severe bleeding from the mouth?
• Are there any broken, fractured, loose, or missing teeth?
• Did your child’s face or mouth sustain a blow?
• Did your child injure the lips, tongue, or cheeks?
• Is there any swelling in the mouth or the facial area?
• Are there any bulges or pimple-like bumps on the gums?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child is likely experiencing a dental emergency that will require urgent care! Please call our office immediately. Our on-call staff members will help you determine the best course of action to stabilize your child’s condition before receiving the needed treatments. If, at any time, your child experiences a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 right away!

Common Dental Emergencies and Things You Can Do to Help

Severe Toothache: Tooth pain usually results from deep decay, tooth fractures, trauma, or even impacted food.Make sure you clean the area and have your child rinse with warm water. Try using dental floss to gently dislodge any food possibly caught between two teeth. If the pain persists, contact Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry right away for an evaluation. If there’s swelling on the cheek or jaw area, a cold compress can help.

Chipped, Fractured, or Knocked-Out Baby Tooth: If a baby tooth gets chipped or knocked out, the situation is usually not considered an immediate emergency. Our team will evaluate your little one’s condition and determine whether replacing the missing tooth with a spacer is the best option.

Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth: A chipped or fractured permanent tooth will require immediate attention. The sooner your child gets the needed urgent care, the better the chances are of saving the affected tooth. Delays in treatment may increase the risk of infection and the need for extensive dental treatments down the road. Make sure to bring any pieces of the tooth with you to your child’s emergency appointment.

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth: A knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate attention. Hold the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the root. Rinse it gently with water and try to return it to its socket. If that is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk. Quick action is the most critical factor in saving the tooth, so make sure to call us and head to our office right away.

Injury to the Lips, Tongue, or Cheeks: Place light, firm pressure to control any bleeding, and contact us for an appointment. If the bleeding is severe and uncontrollable, head to your nearest emergency room right away!

Emergency Dentistry in Glendale, AZ

Our team at Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry is committed to ensuring our young patients maintain healthy, happy smiles. If your child experiences a dental emergency, make sure to contact us right away. You can always count on us for outstanding, gentle care!