Pediatric Dental Emergencies

If your child experiences a dental emergency, contact usClick to open in this tab right away. If you need urgent treatment after our regular hours, call our emergency number.

Below, you’ll find quick tips for handling common pediatric dental emergencies. We recommend printing this list and keeping it somewhere accessible, for peace of mind when every second counts.

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A little girl stands with her arms crossed, displaying a thoughtful expression on her face

Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

  • Object Caught in Teeth

    If something is stuck between your child’s teeth:

    • Use dental floss to remove it gently
    • Never use a sharp object like metal or plastic
    • If floss doesn’t work, call our office for guidance
  • Toothache

    If your child complains of a toothache:

    • Rinse their mouth with warm water
    • Inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them

    If pain continues and there’s nothing stuck:

    • Use a cold compress to ease the pain
    • Do not apply heat, aspirin, or topical pain relievers directly to gums
    • Children’s pain relievers may be taken orally
    • Schedule an appointment immediately
  • Bitten Lip or Tongue

    If your child bites their lip or tongue hard enough to cause bleeding:

    • Gently clean the area with water
    • Apply a cold compress (such as a cold, wet towel) to reduce swelling
    • Call our office to help assess whether medical or dental attention is needed
  • Loose Tooth

    If your child has a very loose tooth:

    • It may need to be removed to prevent it from being swallowed or inhaled
    • Contact us if you’re unsure whether it’s safe to leave the tooth in place

Serious Pediatric Dental Injuries

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth

If your child chips or breaks their tooth:

  • Rinse their mouth with warm water
  • Use a cold compress to reduce swelling
  • Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off
  • Call us immediately for the next steps

Knocked-Out Tooth

If your child has knocked out a tooth:

  • Find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap)
  • Take care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it’s in place)
  • Place the tooth in a clean container with milk
  • Call us immediately and/or head to the hospital

If you act quickly, it’s possible to save the tooth.

Suspected Broken Jaw

If you suspect a broken jaw:

  • Apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling
  • Call our emergency number or go directly to the hospital

A broken jaw is often the result of a blow to the head, which can be serious or life-threatening—Seek help immediately.

Avoiding Injury

Many dental emergencies can be prevented with a few simple precautions:

  • Child-proof your house to avoid slips and falls
  • Don’t let your child chew on ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard foods
  • Always use car seats for young children and require seat belts for older children
  • If your child plays contact sports, have them wear a mouthguard—ask us about a custom-fitted option
  • Encourage daily brushing and flossing, and schedule regular checkups to prevent toothaches and decayClick to open in this tab

A woman and a child are brushing their teeth together in front of a bathroom mirror, smiling and enjoying their routine
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Canton
1657 North Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48187
frontdesk@cantonpediatricdentist.com
(734) 335-7270