Quick Care for Your Child's Dental Dilemmas

If your child has an urgent dental issue outside our regular hours, please get in touch with us immediately at 770.889.9600.

In the meantime, here are some guidelines to help you manage common pediatric dental emergencies.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

If your little one has bitten their lip or tongue, gently clean the area with water. Apply a cold compress (a cold, damp towel or washcloth) to minimize swelling. Call us to assess the severity and get further instructions.

 

Object Stuck Between Teeth

If an object is lodged between your child's teeth, carefully use dental floss to dislodge it. Avoid using metal, plastic, or sharp tools. If you can't remove the object with floss, please get in touch with our office for assistance.

 

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth

If your child has a broken or chipped tooth:

  • Rinse their mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

  • Try to recover any tooth fragments.

  • Contact us immediately for further advice and to schedule an emergency visit.

 

Knocked-Out Tooth

If your child has a tooth knocked out, locate it and rinse it with water (avoid using soap). Handle the tooth by the crown only. Please place it in a container of milk to preserve it. Call us right away and head to the hospital.

 

Loose Tooth

A loose tooth should be removed to prevent it from being swallowed or inhaled. Call us for guidance on how to safely remove it.

Toothache

For a toothache, rinse your child's mouth with warm water and check for any food particles between the teeth. If the pain persists, apply a cold compress. Avoid using heat, aspirin, or topical pain relievers directly on the gums, as these can cause further damage.

Over-the-counter children's pain medication may be administered. Please schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.

 

Suspected Broken Jaw

If you suspect your child has a broken jaw, apply a cold compress to control swelling and contact our emergency number immediately. Head to the hospital without delay, as a broken jaw can be a result of a severe blow to the head, which may have other profound implications.

 

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Here are some tips to help prevent dental emergencies:

    • Child-proof your home to reduce the risk of falls and accidents.
    • Discourage your child from chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, and other complex objects.
    • Always use appropriate car seats for younger children and have older children wear seatbelts.
    • Have your child wear a mouthguard during contact sports. Ask us about custom-fitted mouthguards.
    • Maintain a regular oral hygiene routine with brushing, flossing, and scheduled dental check-ups to prevent toothaches and other issues.

 

Call Us for Dental Emergencies

For any dental emergency, trust Forsyth Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics to provide your child's care and attention. Dr. Joe and Dr. Kim are dedicated to keeping your child's smile bright and healthy. Reach us at 770.889.9600.