Emergency Pediatric Dental Care
Accidents Happen — And We Can Help!
When accidents happen, Associated Pediatric Dentistry is just a phone call away. We’re here to help, even if a dental emergency occurs outside of our office hours. We make sure to always have one of our experienced dentists on call to take care of your child. When accidents happen, please call our emergency line at 618-338-5437.
It is important to contact a professional and seek care if your child is in extreme or severe pain or may lose a permanent tooth. As parents ourselves, we understand how difficult it can be to assess if a dental issue is an emergency. If you have any questions about whether an emergency appointment with one of our pediatric dentists is necessary, feel free to call us for advice and guidance!
Below are some tips for how to assess a dental emergency.
If your child has a cut or bitten lip or tongue
If your child is bleeding, gently clean the area and apply a cold compress using firm but gentle pressure. Call our office to determine how serious the bite or cut is, and if additional action is necessary.
If your child’s permanent tooth is knocked out
If your child loses a permanent (or adult) tooth, time is of the essence. Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. Please, do NOT scrub it or clean it with soap or other abrasive materials.
If you are able to, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with a clean gauze or washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place it in a clean container with milk or saliva. The sooner you can get your child to the dentist, the more likely is it that their tooth can be saved!
If your child has a toothache
If your child experiences a toothache, there may be something caught in between their teeth. Rinse their mouth out with warm water and look for anything caught which can be removed with dental floss. You may apply a cold compress to ease the pain, but do not apply heat to the area. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our offices as soon as possible.
