When a dental emergency arises, our knowledgeable team will be there to help treat your child with compassionate and efficient care. With injuries, it’s important to get care as soon as possible to avoid complications and minimize pain. Our team knows what to do to get your child back to health and smiling again. Whether your child has a toothache or experienced a dental trauma, Sunshine Smiles offers same day appointments for emergency care.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
- Toothache
- Toothaches have a few different potential causes. Sometimes, it can be from food trapped between the tooth and gums, which can hurt. Begin with rinsing your child’s mouth with warm water and then floss their teeth to remove any trapped food particles. If the pain persists, the toothache may be a sign of a cavity or an infected tooth that requires attention. Schedule an appointment with us right away.
- Knocked-Out Tooth
- If your child’s permanent (adult) tooth gets knocked out, handle it by the crown (not the root), rinse it with warm water, and put it back in the socket. If not possible or too uncomfortable, place the tooth in a bag of cold milk until your appointment. Come see us as soon as possible, ideally within one hour, to have the tooth re-implanted and splinted back into place.
- If a baby tooth is knocked out, the tooth should not be re-implanted as it could damage the developing permanent tooth. If you have any questions or would like to discuss, please give us a call.
- Cracked or Chipped Tooth
- If your child’s tooth has cracked or chipped, whether from a slip and fall, sports injury or any other kind of accident, contact us as soon as possible for an emergency appointment. Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there is any swelling or pain, you can apply an ice pack or cold compress. If you are able to locate the broken tooth piece, bring it with you to your visit.
- Cuts (lacerations) to the Gums, Lips, Cheeks or Tongue
- Oral lacerations to the tongue, lips, cheeks, or gums are a common oral injury in children. Have your child rinse their mouth out with cold water to clean the area and then apply pressure to the injury with cotton balls or gauze. Bleeding should stop within 10-15 minutes. If the bleeding continues, this may be a sign of a deeper laceration that requires attention by a dentist. Contact us to schedule an emergency visit.