Tooth Ache
Clean the area around the sore tooth. Rinse the mouth with warm, salt water to dislodge trapped food. If the face is swollen, apply a cold compress, take acetaminophen for pain, and call us immediately.
Traumas: Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Children can easily bite their cheek or lip after a dental procedure especially if they received novacaine. Apply ice to the area and call us immediately. You can also use popicles for fast, soothing relief.
Children fall and hurt themselves all the time. In the case of a trauma that involves bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with sterile gauze. If bleeding persists after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call our office immediately and/or take your child to a hospital emergency room.
Broken Braces and Wires
Remove the broken appliance, if possible. If not, cover the protruding piece with wax, cotton balls, or clean gauze and call our office. If a wire is poking the gums, cheek or tongue try to clip it off with a wire cutter. Apply wax to the end of the wire and call our office as soon as possible. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child, are not considered an emergency. Call the office to schedule a visit within a few days.
Broken Tooth
Using warm water carefully rinse dirt from the injured area. Place a cold compress over the face in the area of the injury. Save any broken tooth fragments (bring them with you) and call us immediately. Broken teeth most often require immediate dental care.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
First, find and save the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. If possible, rinse the area and try to reinsert the tooth in its socket. Have the child carefully bite down on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place the tooth in a cup of milk or water. Call us immediately as dental treatment is time sensitive in saving the tooth. Again, please be aware that this pertains to permanent teeth only… baby teeth should not be reinserted.
Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out
Have the child bite on a clean and folded gauze for approximately 15 minutes. Change the gauze and repeat once. If bleeding persists, call our office.
Cold/Canker Sores
Many children occasionally suffer from cold or canker sores. Most often they just need to run their course, since they are viral. Over-the-counter preparations can give some relief. however, if these sores persist, call our office for an appointment, as some serious diseases may in fact begin as sores.