Call (301) 781-5337 if you have a dental emergency. In addition to providing pediatric dentistry services to children and teenagers, we offer emergency dentistry in Mt. Airy, MD. If your child needs prompt dental care, contact our office. We will determine the best treatment to relieve pain and treat tooth damage.
Emergency Dentistry in Mt. Airy, MD
A dental emergency is a dental problem that requires immediate professional treatment. Common pediatric dental emergencies we provide in our Mt. Airy, MD office include:
Toothache
Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact your child’s dentist. Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or the aching tooth. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact your dentist immediately.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek
Apply ice to injured areas to help control swelling. If bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. Call a doctor or visit the hospital emergency room if you cannot control the bleeding.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub, or handle the tooth unnecessarily.
Then, inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze.
If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva. Alternatively, if the patient is old enough, they can carry the tooth in the mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Knocked Out Baby Tooth
Contact your pediatric dentist during business hours. This is not usually an emergency; in most cases, no treatment is necessary.
Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth
Immediately contact your pediatric dentist. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Then, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and bring them to the dentist if possible.
Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth
Contact your pediatric dentist.
Severe Blow to the Head
Take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw
Keep the jaw from moving and take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Pediatric Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Discover more about emergency pediatric dentistry treatment with answers to common questions parents ask about their child’s dental care:
Which teeth are most painful for kids?
The molars are the most painful for most children when they come in. This is because molars are larger than the other teeth and can cause more discomfort as they push through the gums.
However, some children might find other teeth, like the incisors or canines, more irritating. Talking with a pediatric dentist if your child is experiencing tooth discomfort is always a good idea.
Should I take my child to the ER for tooth pain?
We recommend seeing a pediatric dentist rather than the ER for moderate dental pain or injury. However, the ER is appropriate if pain is extreme, swelling is significant, or bleeding is excessive.
Signs like fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or facial trauma also warrant emergency care. Otherwise, the ER will likely refer you to a dentist anyway. Contact your pediatric dentist for guidance, but reserve the ER for true dental emergencies needing immediate attention beyond what a dentist can provide.
What happens if a toddler’s tooth is knocked out of position?
You should seek immediate dental care if a toddler’s tooth is knocked out of alignment from trauma. The tooth may be movable or pushed up into the gums. This can damage root development. Furthermore, leaving the tooth displaced risks problems like tooth loss or the development of cysts.
Don’t try to force the tooth back into place. Instead, contact your pediatric dentist right away for guidance. They can reposition and stabilize the affected tooth and may apply orthodontic retention. In the meantime, use a cold compress to ease swelling or pain, and stick to soft foods.
What if your child cuts their tongue?
For minor tongue cuts, rinse the area gently with cool water. Apply light pressure with a cold compress or clean gauze until the bleeding stops. You should use an oral anesthetic if you experience pain.
Seek medical care for deep cuts or those that do not stop bleeding within 20 minutes through applying pressure. You should closely monitor all tongue cuts for proper healing. Infection is a risk that you should always take seriously.
Can you save a knocked-out baby tooth?
You usually do not need to replant knocked-out primary (baby) teeth. They are not like permanent teeth. It’s best to try finding the tooth to ensure the baby does not swallow it. The American Dental Association recommends safely discarding the baby tooth and letting nature take its course.
Furthermore, trying to save the baby tooth risks damaging the permanent one. You should immediately check with a pediatric dentist in cases of baby tooth loss.
How do you know if a child’s head injury is serious?
If a child has a head injury, you should watch for loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, severe headache, and confusion. Other red flags are unequal pupil sizes, fluid from the nose or ears, seizures, or excessive drowsiness. Moreover, any of these signs mean the child needs medical attention immediately. Always take a child to a medical doctor if they sustained a head injury.
Receive Emergency Dental Care Today
Call for emergency dentistry services in Mt Airy, MD, at (301) 781-5337. You can also schedule a dental appointment if your child requires care but has no emergency. Contact our dental office if you are unsure if your child has a dental emergency. We will take note of your child’s symptoms and schedule care or receive your child for emergency treatment.