Pediatric Dental Emergencies
If this is a dental injury only, contact your child’s pediatric dentist right now. A quick response will help save teeth, and in the case of a serious infection, it could save the child’s life.
Existing Patients of Record
During Business Hours: Please call our office right away. We will do our best to work you in as soon as possible and accommodate your needs.
After Business Hours: For existing patients of record who have experienced severe trauma or facial swelling within the past hour, you may contact our emergency line. This service is provided as a courtesy for current patients of record. Please DO NOT contact the emergency line for scheduling, billing, or non urgent needs. These concerns will be addressed during normal business hours. For emergencies after business hours, please call our regular office line and you will be directed to our emergency line. Please be prepared to state: your name, child’s name and date of birth, nature of emergency, return phone number, and approximate date of last visit. Calls for existing patients of record who are experiencing true dental emergencies will be promptly returned.
If your child has a non-urgent dental problem, you may contact us during normal business hours.
Non Patients of Record
If your child is new to our practice, we are unfortunately unable to provide emergency care because we do not have access to your child’s current dental records. A New Patient Examination and Cleaning is required before dental treatment can be provided.
Common injuries and how to address them:
Avulsed (knocked out) baby tooth: DO NOT replace a baby tooth back into your child’s mouth. Doing so may damage the developing permanent tooth. Follow up with our office to evaluate the area of trauma. This can usually be done during normal business hours. See instructions below for trauma to the lip or soft tissue if applicable.
Permanent tooth knocked out (avulsed): Call our office immediately. Locate the tooth. DO NOT HOLD THE TOOTH BY THE ROOT —- ONLY HOLD IT BY THE CROWN. If possible, rinse the tooth with cool water and place it back into the socket and hold it there with a clean cloth. If you cannot place your child’s tooth back in the socket, it’s best to keep the tooth in milk or water. Re-implanting the tooth as soon as possible increases the chance of saving the tooth.
Chipped or Fractured Tooth: Give our office a call as soon as you can. If possible bring the chipped fragment with you. Look at the biting edge of the tooth. If it is bleeding from the center of the tooth, you likely have a nerve exposure. These should be seen in office within 24-48 hours for best results.
Toothache: If there is swelling, call our office immediately. If not, bring your child in as soon as possible so that we may find the source of your child’s discomfort.
Trauma to the lip or soft tissue: Apply ice to the bleeding and/or swollen area. Motrin usually helps for inflammation, unless it is contraindicated by the patient’s medical history or other medications. If a large cut exists, sutures (stitches) may be indicated. Call our office if the trauma is severe and you need further instructions or follow up.
Preventing Dental Injuries
The best course of action to protect your child’s smile is to prevent dental injuries as much as possible. Sports mouth-guards and safety helmets are money well spent compared to the financial cost and emotional stress of a dental injury for you and your child. You can call us to schedule an appointment today.
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Our Services
Dentistry for Infants, Toddlers, Children & Teens
Routine Preventative Care
Restorative Care
Nitrous Oxide & Sedation Dentistry
Dental Emergencies
Our Location
Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta