Dental Emergency Service

In an Emergency

If in doubt about some accident affecting your child's teeth or gums it pays to be safe. Quick action can make the difference between a temporary inconvenience and expensive restoration work. Contact Gentle Dental Care if there is anything you are unsure about.

Here are some of the more common mishaps.

What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?

When baby teeth are knocked out, they are generally not re-implanted. However, you should still contact us as soon as possible. It is important to have a dentist check out the child's mouth to make sure there is no additional damage to other areas of the mouth such as the surrounding gums and teeth.

My child's permanent tooth was knocked out. What should I do?

Time is critical here. You must see us within one hour of the incident if there's to be any chance of a re-implanted tooth. Rinse the tooth in cool water if possible, but don't wipe it or scrub it. Place it in a glass of milk (water will do), or gently wrap it in a clean, damp cloth.

Teeth that have been knocked out can often survive for years if treated within an hour of the injury, but will almost always require a root canal.

My child fell and bumped her front baby tooth and now it's dark. Is it dead?

The tooth may be dead but bring the child in as soon as possible and have the tooth examined. The discoloration may mean that the impact has broken a blood vessel at the tip of the tooth's root.

Baby teeth often survive blows that would kill a permanent tooth.

My child chipped his front tooth. How difficult will it be to fix it, and how long will it take?

If you find the fragment, bring it with you to the dental office. A fragment can occasionally be bonded back onto the tooth. Even without the broken piece we can often restore the tooth to its natural appearance in less than an hour.

What should I do if my child has a toothache or sore gums?

Call Gentle Dental Care as soon as possible. Rinse the child’s mouth with lukewarm water and apply a cold compress (or ice wrapped in a cloth) to the face. Don’t apply heat, and never put an aspirin on the tooth or gums. Aspirin is acidic and can burn the gums.

Gently flossing the area of discomfort can often provide immediate relief since toothache is often caused by food lodged between the teeth.

What should I do if my child has a cut or bitten lip or cheek?

Apply ice to the bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure.

If the bleeding does not stop after around 15 minutes, call Gentle Dental Care immediately.

How can I prevent injuries to my child's teeth?

If you have toddlers, make sure your house is childproof. Soften sharp corners or protruding knobs and handles on furniture with some padding. Lock the doors to rooms with hazards or rooms where padding the furniture and sharp edges is not practicable.

When your child is in a stroller or car, make sure she is strapped in firmly. Never let your child stand on a seat or sit in your lap while you are in a car.

Mouthguards can prevent injuries in older children. Most dental injuries occur in your neighborhood, not on the gym floor or playing field, so a mouthguard should ideally be worn during all rough play, even if it's just in your own backyard.

Find out more about mouthguards

If in doubt about any issue affecting your child's teeth or gums, it's better to be safe. Contact Gentle Dental Care to discuss your concerns with one of our staff.