Emergency Care
When you child needs emergency care, the pediatric dentists at Dental Associates of Walpole are always available to help. Below are remedies for common dental emergencies.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (the portion of the tooth exposed in the mouth) and not the root. Rinse gently but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. If possible, try reinserting the tooth in the socket, and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth Check to make sure it is facing the right way. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in a container containing milk, sterile saline solution (similar to contact lens solution) or Save-A-Tooth (a product commonly found in the office of the school nurse). Because time is essential, please call our office so we can see your child immediately. . A knocked out tooth is more likely to be saved if it is placed in the socket within 15 minutes!
Broken Tooth
Assist you child with rinsing the area with warm water. Recover any broken tooth fragments and place them in milk or saline. Please call our office so your child can be seen in a timely fashion.
Toothache
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth meticulously. Assist your child with a salt water rinse. This will displace any food trapped between teeth. Never place aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum. If you notice facial swelling, please contact our office immediately or take your child to the emergency room. You may give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Please contact our office if the pain persists for more than a day.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Apply ice to any bruised or swollen areas. Using sterile gauze or a clean cloth, apply firm, but gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. If bleeding continues after 15 minutes, please call our office or go to the emergency room.
Broken Braces and Wires
Remove a broken appliance only if it comes out easily. If it is lodged or painful to remove, cover any protruding edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. Do not remove any wire caught in the gums, cheek or tongue. Please call our office so your child can be seen in a timely fashion. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that cause no discomfort.
Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold a piece of gauze and place it (firmly) over the bleeding area. Instruct your child to bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes. Biting on a moist, cold teabag often helps bleeding stop as well. If bleeding continues, please call our office to schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist.
Cold or Canker Sores
Over-the-counter medications, such as Orabase ointment and Peroxyl antiseptic mouthwash, will usually provide temporary relief. If sores persist, please call our office to schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist.
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