Dental emergencies can be stressful, especially when they involve a child. We are here to help as best we can. Below you will find guidance on how to handle some of the most common situations, along with instructions for reaching us.
During Office Hours: Call us right away at (413) 442-0122. Our main number accepts photos via text, and having any images of the injury can help our doctor determine how best to proceed. We will assess the situation and get your child in as quickly as possible
After Office Hours: Our office maintains an afterhours emergency line as a courtesy for our established patients. This line is NOT professionally monitored, but we will return your call as soon as we are able. Especially for any calls received after 9PM, there is an increased likelihood that your message will not be seen until the next morning. To reach the afterhours line, call the office at (413) 442-0122 and follow the instructions in our voicemail.
If your child is experiencing a life threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Toothache
Avoid hard or crunchy foods. Have your child rinse their mouth with warm water, then gently floss around the affected tooth to clear any food or debris that may be irritating. If the pain does not improve or if the area the tooth feels warm or swollen, contact us during office hours to schedule an appointment. Children’s pain relievers may help to reduce discomfort, although they often are not able to eliminate it completely.
Injury to the Lips, Gums, Cheeks, or Tongue
Apply gentle pressure to the area using a clean cloth or sterile gauze to help control the bleeding. An icepack or cold compress applied to the outside of the mouth can help control the swelling. If bleeding does not stop within 15-20 minutes, contact your child’s physician or visit an emergency room. Tooth injuries often accompany injuries to the mouth, so informing us of the accident in the days afterwards is always a good idea so we can discuss whether an extra dental check-up is needed.
Permanent or Baby Tooth is Knocked Loose
Try to avoid dislodging the tooth further. Call our office so we can advise you on next steps and schedule an appointment to evaluate the affected teeth. Until your appointment, stick to soft foods and use children’s pain relievers as needed.
Baby Tooth Knocked Out
Unlike permanent teeth, a knocked out baby tooth is generally not reimplanted, as doing so could damage the developing adult tooth underneath it. Most often, the emphasis after knocking out a baby tooth is on allowing the socket to heal. This is supported by soft foods for 24-48 hours, no straws or suction, and children’s pain medication as needed. Contact our office and we will advise you on next steps and schedule an appointment to evaluate the area.
Permanent Tooth Knocked Out
Time is critical. Knocking out an adult tooth is the most time sensitive dental emergency. Call our office immediately and follow these steps in the meantime:
- Handle the tooth by the crown only. Do not touch the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly and gently with water. Do not scrub it.
- If possible, carefully reinsert the tooth into its socket and have your child bite down gently on clean gauze to hold it in place.
- If reinsertion is not possible, place the tooth in a container of milk or your child’s spit and bring it with you to your appointment.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Rinse the mouth with lukewarm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of the face to reduce swelling. If you are able to find the broken fragment, store it in milk and bring it to the visit. Contact our office right away, particularly if a large portion of the tooth has broken off.