In Case of a Dental Emergency

Please don't hesitate to call our office with any questions or concerns regarding a dental emergency.  During office hours we can be reached at 705-726-0433.  After hours, please call the office for emergency contact information or call 705-734-8216.  

If your child's emergency involves more than a dental injury, if your child has sustained facial or head injuries or you feel at any time that your child is otherwise compromised, please visit your local hospital or call 911 directly.

Types Of Dental Emergencies

PRIMARY TOOTH (BABY TOOTH) KNOCKED OUT

If your child’s primary tooth is knocked out, contact our office as soon as possible. We will schedule your child to evaluate all of the teeth in the area that may have been injured. We will check for any remaining root structure of the tooth that was knocked out.  Our goal in this type of dental emergency is to be sure that there is nothing left behind that could potentially damage the developing permanent tooth.  Baby teeth are not replanted.

PERMANENT TOOTH (ADULT TOOTH) KNOCKED OUT

If your child’s permanent tooth is knocked out, find it and rinse it gently in a dish of cool water. Please do not scrub it or clean it with soap.  Your goal here is to avoid touching the root end of the tooth as much as possible.  You want to leave the thin layer of tissue covering the root intact if possible.  If you are able, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can’t put it back into the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water (milk is preferred). The tooth must be kept moist. Get to our office immediately, or call our after-hours emergency number. Stay calm, but act quickly – the faster we see your child, the better our chances of saving their tooth.

DISPLACED TOOTH

Your child’s tooth may become displaced during an injury.  It may not be completely knocked out of the mouth, but it may appear longer or shorter, backward or forward or it may be turned. Your child may or may not be able to close their mouth or bite their teeth together normally. The sooner that we can splint or realign the tooth, the easier it will be to bring it back into proper alignment and the better prognosis for the tooth. 

CHIPPED TOOTH

If your child’s tooth is chipped or fractured, contact our office as soon as possible. If the fracture to your child's tooth is severe, it will be very uncomfortable for your child to open their mouth or speak.  Any air to an exposed, or nearly exposed nerve, is painful.  Advising your child to keep their lips sealed if possible will keep the tooth warm and moist, hopefully reducing their discomfort until they can be seen.

SEVERE INJURY

Any severe blow to the head or jaw fracture should be treated in your nearest hospital’s emergency room immediately.

TOOTHACHE

If your child complains of a toothache, call us promptly.  We will be happy to schedule an appointment to assess your child's needs. In the meantime, you may rinse their mouth with water and apply a cold compress. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area. You may give them Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for pain.

SPORTS INJURY PREVENTION

As your child begins to participate in sports, we recommend the use of a custom fit mouth guard. Mouth guards can not only protect teeth, but also protect the gums, reduce the intensity and number of head concussions, prevent injury to the joints around the jaw, and reduce pressure when a force is directed to the chin.  We can make custom molded mouth guards to help protect your child’s teeth.