ADA guidelines for the following Kids Dental Emergencies:

Knocked-Out Tooth

  • Baby tooth—If something happens to any of a child’s primary teeth, or “baby teeth,” you should take your child to the dentist as soon as you can. If a tooth is completely out, do not try to put it back in.  Re-inserting a baby tooth is never recommended because we want to protect their developing permanent teeth!
  • Adult tooth—Unlike a baby tooth, Adult teeth should be re-inserted ASAP for the best chance of saving the tooth. PUT IT BACK IN IMMEDIATELY.  This is for the best chance of saving the tooth.  Leaving a tooth dry and out of the mouth for 15 minutes or more may cause it to die.  If the tooth has visible dirt or debris, DO NOT wipe it. Gently pour milk or tap/bottled water over it.  If possible, gently insert the tooth bite on a wash cloth or gauze until you can get to our office.  When this isn’t possible, put the tooth in a zip-lock bag with milk (best) or saliva (bloody saliva is actually good, not bad), and then put that bag on ice to keep cold.

Broken Tooth

Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the face to reduce swelling. Go to the dentist right away. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist. Wrap the tooth piece in some wet gauze or a wet towel if possible.  Milk is only needed for knocked-out teeth, not tooth fragments.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Clean the area gently with a cloth and place cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the area to keep swelling down. If there is a lot of bleeding or if it doesn’t stop after a short period of time, take your child to a dentist or an emergency center.

Objects caught Between Teeth

Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If that does not work, go to the dentist. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.

Toothache

Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Give your child what you would normally give him/her for pain. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. Take your child to the dentist as soon as you can.

Possible Broken Jaw

Apply cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) to control swelling. Take your child to the dentist or an emergency center right away.

If a Dental Emergency Happens While You Are Traveling

  • Call Dr. Seetin/Our office – After hours & on weekends, Dr. Seetin’s cell number is available if you listen to our office voicemail message. At a minimum he will be able to help you with first steps, and may be able to help you find a nearby dentist for treatment if needed.
  • Look up www.ada.org on the Internet and click on “Find a Dentist” to find an ADA member dentist near you.
  • Ask the local hospital or dental society to recommend a dentist.
  • Ask the hotel concierge or other hotel staff to refer you to a dentist.
  • If you are out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy. Many embassies and consulates keep lists of local medical and dental staff, which may also be available online at www.usembassy.gov. After clicking on the country you are visiting, you can find medical listings under the heading “US Citizen Services.”