Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Kids' dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Whether it's a fall at the playground, a knocked-out tooth during a game, or a toothache that appears overnight, fast care makes the difference in easing pain and saving a tooth.
About Pediatric Dental Emergencies
If your child is hurt or in pain, call us right away. With Beam Dental locations across New York and New Jersey, we'll tell you exactly what to do first and get your child seen as soon as possible.
What We Treat
We handle the full range of kids' dental emergencies: knocked-out or loose teeth, chips and fractures, severe toothaches, swelling or signs of infection, and cut lips or gums. Some emergencies come from sudden injuries and others from untreated decay, and we treat both.
What to Do First
A calm response helps your child stay calm too. Before you reach our office:
- Knocked-out permanent tooth: keep it moist (in milk) and come in immediately
- Toothache: rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to the cheek
- Chipped tooth: save any pieces you can find
- Serious bleeding, facial swelling, or a possible head injury: go to the ER first
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child has a dental emergency?
Call us right away and describe what happened, and we'll walk you through immediate first-aid steps and get your child in as quickly as possible. Acting fast matters most for a knocked-out permanent tooth, which has the best chance of being saved within the first hour.
Can I take my child to the ER for tooth pain?
The ER is the right call for severe swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or a possible head injury. For most tooth problems, though, an emergency pediatric dentist can treat the cause, not just the pain. Most ERs don't have dental staff on site.
What should I do if my child's tooth gets knocked out?
For a permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently, and store it in milk, or place it back in the socket if your child is old enough to hold it there. Then get to the dentist immediately. A knocked-out baby tooth shouldn't be reinserted, but your child should still be seen.
How can I ease my child's toothache until the appointment?
Rinse with warm salt water, apply a cold compress to the cheek, and give an age-appropriate dose of children's pain reliever if needed. Avoid placing aspirin on the gums or using numbing gels not meant for kids, and stick to soft foods until you're seen.
