Dental Emergency Tips and Help
Knocked Out Tooth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth gently, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, immediately place the tooth in a cup of water or milk. Call our office IMMEDIATELY. Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheeck
Apply ice to bruised or swollen areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call our office or take the child to to a hospital emergency room.
Toothache
Clean aroun the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If your child's face is swollen, apply a cold compress and call our office IMMEDIATELY. If your child's face is not swollen, give your child the appropriate dose of Children's Tylenol or Children's Motrin and call our office as soon as possible.
Broken Tooth
Rinse any dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold compress over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Call our office or emergency line IMMEDIATELY.
Possible Broken Jaw
If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaws immobilized by suing a towel or handkerchief, then take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Cold and Canker Sores
Having an emergency after hours?
Call our After Hours Emergency Phone
(405) 921-7244
Many children occasionally suffer from "cold" or "canker" sores. Usually over-the-counter medications give relief. Because some serious diseases may begin as sores, it is important to call our office if these sores persist.