Emergencies during business hours
During business hours, we have staff willing to respond to all questions and concerns, and we are happy to get your child seen by a dentist as soon as possible. Call us at (601) 992 0007
What if my child's knocks out a permanent tooth?
Remain calm. Locate the tooth and pick it up by the chewing surface, being careful not to touch the root. If the tooth is not dirty or broken, try to reinsert it into the empty socket in your child’s mouth. If you can reinsert it, have your child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean piece of cloth or gauze and come directly to us.
If you cannot reinsert the tooth (or if it is dirty or broken), put the tooth in a glass of milk. Bring it and your child to us immediately.
Object caught in teeth
If your child has something caught between their teeth, first, try to remove the object by using dental floss. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.
Loose tooth
A loose baby tooth is normal and expected; a loose permanent tooth is quite another matter. If your child’s tooth didn’t loosen naturally, have a dentist look at the tooth to determine the right course of action. In some cases, the tooth might need to be removed, but this should be done in the dentist’s office instead of at home. If the tooth is removed due to damage, your child’s pediatric dentist might put in a spacer to keep the other teeth in place until the permanent tooth grows into the vacant spot.
Toothache
A toothache can run the gamut from a minor irritation to a true dental emergency. First, make sure the mouth is clean and any food that may be impacted is removed by gentle brushing or flossing, then rinse with warm water. Mild pain can be treated with aspirin until you can get your child to our office.
Broken jaw
- If you suspect that your child has fractured his/her jaw, try to keep the jaw from moving by using a towel, necktie, or handkerchief to immobilize the jaw. Then, take your child to the emergency room as soon as possible. Signs of a fractured jaw include:
– Inability to open the mouth
– Sideways canting of the jaw upon opening
– Uneven teeth that appears different from before the accident
– Inability to close the teeth together properly - A cold compress (ice wrapped in a cloth) will help keep the swelling down until you arrive.
Cut/Bitten tongue lip or cheek
A cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek is no fun. It can lead to bleeding, swelling and discomfort. To relieve these symptoms, apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress (a popsicle works well.) Finally, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any discomfort.
The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to stay proactive in your oral hygiene and have routine check-ups with your dentist. Pay attention to what your teeth and body tell you to watch for signs that you may be heading toward an emergency.