Kelty McLaurin Pediatric Dentistry

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Dental Emergencies

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Boy with toothache

Pediatric Dental Emergencies

We all hate to see our children in pain. If your child is suffering from a dental emergency, Kelty McLaurin Pediatric Dentistry is trained to help alleviate your child’s pain and manage the crisis.

When an emergency occurs, it’s essential to seek treatment for your child as soon as possible. A quick response can help Dr. Kelty save the tooth, if possible, and reduce the risk of more extensive dental care.

Pediatric dental emergencies can include:

  • Broken/cracked teeth from sports or play
  • Knocked out baby/permanent tooth 
  • A broken or dislocated tooth from a fall 
  • Severe toothaches that interfere with eating, speaking, or sleeping
  • Swelling in the mouth/cheek/face due to the affected tooth
  • Injury to the jaw
  • Dental abscesses

If you’re child is suffering from a dental emergency, please reach out to us at 859-781-1500

Help for Common Dental Emergencies

Below are a few common scenarios and what to do if they occur:

What if my Child Fractures or knocks out a Tooth?

If your child fractures a tooth, then gather any fragments you can find and store them in a clean container of milk or saliva of the child that lost the tooth. Never use water to transport a broken or knocked-out tooth. You must visit the dentist immediately to prevent infection and other complications brought on by chipped or knocked-out teeth. If the tooth is knocked out, only touch the crown of the tooth and not the root. The dentist will be able to repair your child’s tooth or fix it with a crown.

What if my child has a Tongue, Cheek, or Lip Injury with Excessive Bleeding?

If your child experiences a cut on their tongue, cheek, or lip, bleeding can usually be stopped by applying clean gauze to the affected area. You can also apply ice to the site to help stop the bleed. If you cannot stop the bleeding, call our office or visit the emergency room. If your child has an open oral wound for a long period of time, they can be susceptible to infection.

What do I do for a Persistent Toothache?

If your child has a toothache, then have them rinse their mouth with warm water to ease the pain. If the pain persists for more than 24 hours, contact Kelty McLaurin Pediatric Dentistry. Persistent toothaches can indicate more serious problems that need to be observed by a dental professional.

Child's Adult Teeth Behind Baby Teeth: What to Do?

The arrival of permanent teeth is an exciting time for children, but it can also come with some challenges. One of these challenges is when the adult teeth start to come in behind the baby teeth. This is a common occurrence and is often caused by the lower primary (baby) tooth not falling out in time for the permanent tooth to take its place.

If your child starts to wiggle the baby tooth, it will usually fall out naturally within a couple of months. If this doesn’t happen, it’s best to contact your pediatric dentist. They can easily remove the baby tooth and help the permanent tooth move into the correct position.