How to Deal
With Dental Emergencies
At Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry, we know that accidents and dental emergencies can be frightening for you and your children. Our doctors and team are here to help you handle these situations with step-by-step care.
If your child experiences a dental emergency, please call the office closest to you in Panama City, Santa Rosa Beach, Niceville, or Fort Walton Beach.
Here are some tips for what you can do in the meantime.
If your child loses a permanent tooth, it’s important to stay calm and act quickly. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the part that is usually visible in the mouth) while avoiding contact with the root.
If it looks dirty, rinse it gently with water, milk, or saliva, but don’t scrub it.
Whenever possible, place the tooth back into the socket and have your child bite down gently on a piece of gauze to hold it in place. If you can’t reinsert the tooth, place it in a clean container of milk and bring it with you to our office.
Don’t try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in place. Unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth are not meant to be reinserted.
Doing so could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Instead, call our office as soon as possible.
Our team will examine your child to make sure no pieces of the tooth remain in the gums and to check that the surrounding teeth and tissues are healthy.
Start by gently rinsing your child’s mouth with warm water to clean the area. You can apply a cold compress to the outside of the face near the injury to reduce swelling and keep your child more comfortable.
If you’re able to find the broken piece of tooth, place it in a small container of milk and bring it with you to our office.
Begin by gently cleaning around your child’s sore tooth, then have your child rinse with warm salt water to ease discomfort and wash away debris.
Check for food trapped between the teeth and carefully use floss to remove anything stuck. When swelling is present, place a cold compress on the outside of the face to help reduce it.
For temporary relief, you may give your child acetaminophen in the appropriate dosage. Never place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, as this can irritate the tissues.
When your child has something lodged between their teeth, try to gently remove it with dental floss. That’s usually all that’s needed to dislodge food or other small objects.
Avoid using sharp or pointed tools, as they can injure your child’s gums or damage the teeth.
Begin by gently cleaning the injured area with water to reduce your child’s risk of infection. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a clean cloth to minimize swelling and keep your child comfortable.
If bleeding occurs, place gentle but firm pressure on the area with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. Should the bleeding continue for more than 15 minutes, contact our office right away or go to the nearest emergency room for further care.
Swelling in your child’s face can be a sign of a dental infection, and it’s important to act quickly. Infections can spread rapidly and may become serious if not treated right away.
Call our office immediately so our doctors can assess the cause and provide the care your child needs.