Emergency Care

If your child has a sore tooth, gently floss and brush the tooth. Then, have them rinse their mouth with warm saltwater (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water) to get rid of any food that could be trapped and causing discomfort. If their tooth still hurts, you can give them an over-the-counter pain reliever, if needed. If they have facial swelling, encourage them to hold a cold compress on their face in the area of the toothache. Call Oak Tree Pediatric Dentistry, so we can get your child out of pain as quickly as possible.

If your child sustains an injury and has a loose, displaced or knocked out tooth, time is of the essence! We can sometimes reimplant a permanent tooth and save it within an hour or two after the injury. Call us for emergency dental care immediately.

If your child’s tooth is loose or displaced, gently push it back up into the socket, so that it’s in line with the other teeth. Have your child bite down on folded up gauze to hold it in position.

If your child’s tooth is knocked out, first, find the tooth or tooth fragment. Hold it by the crown, being careful not to touch the root. Plug up the drain and gently rinse the tooth with clean water (don’t scrub it). If your child is old enough to not swallow the tooth, they can hold it in their mouth next to their cheek. Otherwise, place the tooth in a cup of cold milk or Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution as you make your way over to our office.

If you suspect your child has a broken jaw, apply a cold compress to manage swelling. Head to the emergency room as soon as possible. Because a broken jaw often involves a blow to the head, it’s important to get medical attention immediately in order to rule out or treat a head injury. After receiving medical care, call Oak Tree Pediatric Dentistry, so we can repair any damage to the teeth or mouth.

If your child chips or fractures their tooth, have them gently rinse their mouth out with cold water. Give them a cold compress to place on their cheek in the affected area to reduce any swelling. Try to find the tooth fragments, so you can bring them with you to your appointment. Give our office a call right away to connect with a Greenville emergency pediatric dentist who will let you know your next steps.

If your child is bleeding after a dental injury, have them apply pressure by biting down on a washcloth or piece of clean gauze. Call our office, so we can assess the situation. If you can’t control the bleeding, seek emergency medical care.

Cold and canker sores can be really painful. However, they can usually be managed at home. For both types of sores, over-the-counter pain relievers will offer relief. For cold sores, prescription medication may help shorten the duration of the sores. A warm saltwater rinse (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water) and a soft foods diet can help with canker sores. If the pain doesn’t improve within a few days or it’s getting in the way of your child’s daily activities, call our office.