Dental Emergencies

Immediate Treatment for Knocked-Out or Broken Teeth

Our Amarillo office is located in a top-of-the-line oral surgery center, Amarillo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, where we can safely restore and repair knocked-out or broken teeth. We utilize dental X-ray technology to get a clear picture of your child’s facial structures and to provide an accurate diagnosis.

When teeth are broken or knocked out, it’s important to act quickly for the best chance of replacement. Contact our office if your child has a dental emergency; we will make room in our schedule for cases that require immediate attention. For very serious injuries, you may need to go to a hospital. Our dentists are specially trained to treat dental emergencies, with the main goal being to save natural teeth and restore their appearance and functionality.

Dental emergencies can include:

• Knocked-out teeth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Inflammation or swelling of the gums
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Tooth or gum abscesses

What Do I Do If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out?

Try to stay calm; doing so can help your child remain calm, too. Find the tooth and pick it up by the chewing edge only. Never touch or clean off the root of the tooth, which has tissues attached that are important for reinsertion.

If the tooth is clean, try to reinsert it into the tooth socket, and have your child hold it in place with a clean piece of cloth or gauze. If the tooth cannot be reinserted because it is broken or dirty, place the tooth in a container of whole milk, saliva, or plain water and bring it to our office immediately. The sooner you see a dentist, the better the chances of saving the tooth. Contact our office before you arrive so that we can prepare to treat your child as quickly as possible.

What To Do For a Broken Tooth

Chipped or broken teeth also require immediate attention, even if it is just a baby tooth. When a tooth is broken, bacteria can get inside the center of the tooth and cause infection. Bring the broken tooth shard, if you can find it, in a container of whole milk or saliva. Your pediatric dentist will either reattach the broken piece or use a composite material to restore the broken side and protect the tooth. It is important to clean your child’s mouth, specifically the site of injury. A warm salt water rinse (one tablespoon of salt in one cup of water) applied with a cotton ball or gently swished and spat out is also helpful.

How to Treat Cuts Inside the Mouth

Cuts on the cheek, mouth, or lips can cause swelling, bleeding, and pain. Try to stop bleeding by applying pressure to the cut using a clean cloth or gauze. You can also try a cold, wet tea bag. Try not to let your child swallow too much blood, as this can make them sick. You should seek professional help if the bleeding does not stop on its own after 10 minutes of firm and steady pressure.

For any injury, it’s a good idea to use the following techniques to control swelling, pain, and bleeding:

• Apply pressure to bleeding areas using clean cloth or gauze.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Give your child the recommended dosage of a children’s pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.