Emergency Dentistry

Overview

Dental emergencies occur when you least expect them. When a dental emergency occurs, the most important aspect of handling the emergency is to have your child brought to our office as soon as possible.

Toothache

Have your child rinse their mouth with warm water to flush out any debris that may have accumulated between the teeth. If your child requires medication to relieve the pain, have them take either Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Advil, as directed. Do not apply any medications to the affected tooth or gum. Please contact our office to arrange an appointment so that we can correctly diagnose the cause of the toothache.

If a Permanent Tooth is Accidentally Knocked Out

Time is very important! If the displaced tooth has accumulated debris, rinse it gently under cool water. Try to be gentle, do not make any effort to scrub the tooth or use any cleanser. Gently replace the tooth in its socket and hold it in place. The tooth’s viability is very much dependent on the amount of time that has elapsed from the time of the injury to the time of its reimplantation.

After the tooth has been reimplanted please contact our office so that a splint can be fabricated to hold the tooth in place. If you are unable to reseat the tooth in its socket, place the tooth in a container of cool water, milk, or saline. Come IMMEDIATELY, within 30 minutes, if possible, to our office, where we may be able to re-implant the tooth.

Call our office number at 207-974-3018, any time of day or night. During business hours, our team will see your child immediately. After business hours, our live patient care coordinator will ask for pertinent injury information. Your call will be dispatched to the dentist on call.

A Baby Tooth is Knocked Out

If a baby tooth is accidentally knocked out, do not try to reinsert a baby tooth as this may damage the permanent tooth which is developing. Administer any necessary first aid to the other areas of the body.

Simply rinse your child’s mouth with water and contact our office as soon as possible. At the office, we will conduct a thorough examination to make sure that no further damage has occurred.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Tongues and lips tend to bleed profusely when bitten. To stop the flow of blood, apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with gauze or a clean cloth. If you cannot control the blood flow, immediately bring your child to our office or to a hospital emergency room.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

Rinse out mouth with warm water and apply a cool compress to the injured soft tissue to reduce swelling. Contact us and bring your child to the office. Immediate action can prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Use cold compresses to minimize swelling.

Possible Broken Jaw or Head Injury of Any Type

Immediately take your child to the Emergency Room of your nearest hospital.

Swelling in My Child’s Mouth

If any part of your child’s face, lips, mouth, or jaw begins to swell due to a suspected dental problem, it is very important to seek help as soon as possible. It could be a dangerous infection. If swelling is severe enough to affect the eye area or if your child begins having trouble swallowing or begins to run a fever, go directly to the emergency room. Our office may be contacted later.

Symptoms of Traumatized Teeth

Teeth can be traumatized due to a number of causes including accidental falls, motor accidents, blows during fights, sports, etc.

Some symptoms to indicate teeth have been traumatized are:

• The tooth is turning darker in color.
• The gum tissue around the tooth appears to be inflamed or swollen.
• The tooth may be hypersensitive to hot or cold foods or drinks.
• The tooth does not appear to be in the original position.
• Tooth hurts worse when in a reclining position.
• A gumboil pimple appears on the gums near the injured tooth (may not be
  painful).

* Not all of these symptoms may appear. ANY of these symptoms would indicate the need to contact this office so your child can be examined. A dental exam and x-rays are often needed to determine the best plan to treat the tooth.

Braces, Appliances, or Retainers are Causing Pain

If your child is in pain, please contact us so we can make arrangements to make them comfortable. If an orthodontic appliance or retainer breaks or becomes loose, please contact us as soon as possible. Please do not attempt to remove an appliance that may be lodged in any area of the mouth or lips.

Bangor Children’s Dentistry Disclaimer

Bangor Children’s Dentistry gives no warranty, implied or expressed, as to results from the use of any or all provided emergency care information. Furthermore, we cannot treat patients or make a diagnosis over the internet or through visits to this website. The following pages are for informational purposes only.

In addition, it is not recommended to depend on the information provided to substitute for medical or dental assessment or diagnosis and treatment. Your pediatric dentist, healthcare provider, or you can make the best treatment decision possible in an emergency situation.