IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Little accidents can lead to knocked out or broken teeth for little ones. Knowing how to best handle a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. When your child is experiencing a dental emergency, you can trust Dr. Gamble. Even if your child has a dental emergency after hours, we are here for you!
In the event of an after hours dental emergency, Dr. Gamble can be reached by calling the office. The emergency number for the doctor on call will be on the outgoing message. Please call the emergency number provided and leave a message with your name and phone number with a short message. The doctor will try to call back as soon as possible.
Whether you are new to our practice or a valued existing patient, you will receive prompt and compassionate care for your child’s dental emergency. We encourage you to call at the first sign that something is wrong so that we can help your child feel happy and healthy again.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Little accidents can lead to knocked out or broken teeth for little ones. Knowing how to best handle a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. When your child is experiencing a dental emergency, you can trust Dr. Gamble. Even if your child has a dental emergency after hours, we are here for you!
In the event of an after hours dental emergency, Dr. Gamble can be reached by calling the office. The emergency number for the doctor on call will be on the outgoing message. Please call the emergency number provided and leave a message with your name and phone number with a short message. The doctor will try to call back as soon as possible.
Whether you are new to our practice or a valued existing patient, you will receive prompt and compassionate care for your child’s dental emergency. We encourage you to call at the first sign that something is wrong so that we can help your child feel happy and healthy again.
TOOTHACHE
You never want to see your child in pain! A consistent toothache will require a visit to the dentist. We will help you determine what your child needs to feel comfortable again. In the meantime, try to clean the area of the affected tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth with warm salt water and/or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. Give your child what you would normally give them for pain, such as Tylenol or Motrin.
CHIPPED TOOTH
If a tooth is fractured and the nerve is not exposed, the tooth can be bonded, and both esthetics and function can be restored. Save the tooth, or the pieces of tooth, if possible, and we will get to work on restoring your child’s smile. Wrap the pieces in a wet gauze or cloth if possible. If the nerve is exposed, the nerve needs protection to lessen the likelihood of the tooth becoming non-vital. If the tooth becomes non-vital, root canal therapy can be performed at a later date.
TRAUMATIC DENTAL INJURIES
If your child has experienced an injury, we are here for them.
CUT OR BITTEN TONGUE, LIPS, OR CHEEK
Clean the area gently with a cloth. Apply ice/cold compress to any bruised/swollen areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to the hospital emergency room.
SWELLING/ABSCESSES
If your child is experiencing swelling or what you think may be an abscessed tooth, apply cold compresses to the affected area and call our office as soon as possible for an examination. Swelling of the face can be a sign of a serious infection that requires immediate attention. We want to alleviate that discomfort and get your child back to feeling 100%.
TOOTH KNOCKED OUT
BABY TOOTH
If a primary tooth is knocked out (avulsed) do not try to place it back in the mouth. Replanting a primary tooth can lead to the risk of damaging the developing permanent tooth. Instead, let the child place the tooth under their pillow for the tooth fairy and give them a cold treat, such as a Popsicle. The Popsicle will lessen the swelling and slow any bleeding. Although it is normal for children to lose baby teeth, it is still important to call for an examination, as an accident may cause injury to other teeth or harm the adult tooth developing underneath.
ADULT TOOTH
Unlike a baby tooth that is knocked out, adult teeth should be placed back into the socket as soon as possible. Time is a critical factor in saving your smile. Please follow these steps to save a knocked-out permanent tooth:
1. Locate the tooth immediately; do not leave it at the site of the accident. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) NOT the root. The tooth should be handled carefully. Touch only the crown to minimize injury to the root. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse the tooth with water only. Do not scrub or dry the tooth.
2. Reposition the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible. The sooner the tooth is replaced, the greater the likelihood it will survive. To reinsert, carefully push the tooth into the socket with your fingers. Hold the tooth in place with your fingers or by gently biting down on it. Double check to make sure the tooth is properly placed.
3. Keep the tooth moist at all times. The tooth must not be left outside the mouth to dry. If it cannot be replaced in the socket, put it in one of the following:
- Emergency tooth preservation kit (such as Save-a-Tooth®)
- Milk or saliva in a cup
- If the child is old enough, the tooth may be carried in their mouth (next to cheek)
- Regular tap water is not recommended for long-term storage because the root surface cells do not tolerate water for long periods of time. Only use water if none of the options listed above are possible.
4. Contact the office as soon as possible so that the tooth may be properly re-implanted back into the dental socket and stabilized. We want you smiling soon!