Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Learn more about dental emergencies, the answers to frequent questions, and to how best steps for your child’s emergency!
When Should My Child See The Dentist?
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait — call Cedar Park Pediatric Dentistry right away. We also have an after-hours emergency line for urgent situations that can’t wait until morning. Your child’s smile is our priority, and we’re always here when you need us most. We recommend saving this guide somewhere handy — your fridge, your phone’s notes app, or right next to your family’s emergency contacts.
Bitten Lip or Tongue Kids get active, and sometimes that means a painful bite to the lip or tongue. If bleeding occurs, gently rinse the area with clean water and apply a cold, damp cloth firmly to the spot to help reduce swelling. Then give our Cedar Park office a call so we can evaluate whether further care is needed.
Object Caught Between Teeth If something is stuck between your child’s teeth, use dental floss to carefully work it free. Do not attempt to dislodge the object with anything sharp, metal, or pointed — this can cause further injury. If floss doesn’t do the trick, call us and we’ll take it from there.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth Have your child rinse their mouth thoroughly with warm water, then apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to keep swelling down. If you can find the broken piece, hold onto it. Call Cedar Park Pediatric Dentistry immediately — prompt action makes a real difference.
Knocked-Out Tooth Find the tooth and rinse it gently with plain water — no soap, no scrubbing. Handle it by the crown (the visible part) only, avoiding the root. Place it in a clean container with milk and call us or head to the nearest emergency room right away. When treated quickly, a knocked-out tooth can often be saved.
Very Loose Tooth If a tooth is dangerously loose and at risk of being swallowed or inhaled, it should be carefully removed. Call our office for guidance if you’re unsure how to proceed safely.
Toothache Have your child rinse with warm water and check between the teeth for anything that may be causing irritation. If the pain continues, use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for relief. Avoid placing heat, aspirin, or topical numbing gels directly on the gum — these can actually cause tissue damage. Children’s pain relievers taken orally are fine in the meantime. Contact Cedar Park Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Suspected Broken Jaw Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and call our emergency line or go directly to the hospital. A broken jaw is often caused by a blow to the head, which can carry serious — and sometimes life-threatening — risks. Please don’t delay seeking care.
Preventing Dental Emergencies Many emergencies are preventable with a few simple steps. Baby-proof your home to reduce fall risks. Keep hard foods like ice and unpopped popcorn kernels away from young teeth. Always use age-appropriate car seats and seatbelts. If your child plays sports, a custom-fitted mouthguard is one of the best investments you can make — ask us about having one made right here at our Cedar Park office. And of course, regular checkups and daily brushing and flossing go a long way toward keeping dental emergencies at bay.
What to do in case of emergency
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.
