Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Childhood is full of adventure, exploration, and yes—occasional accidents. Knowing what qualifies as a dental emergency helps parents respond appropriately and seek care when it matters most.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Perhaps the most alarming dental emergency is when a permanent tooth gets completely knocked out. Time is critical here. If you can find the tooth, handle it by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with water, and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If that’s not feasible, store it in milk or saliva and contact us immediately. Dr. Jaime Orrick and our entire team emphasize that quick action within 30 minutes dramatically improves the chances of saving that tooth.
Baby teeth are different. While a knocked-out primary tooth doesn’t get replanted, you should still contact us to ensure that the developing permanent tooth underneath is not damaged.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Kids fall, collide during sports, and bite down on hard candy. Broken or chipped teeth happen frequently in childhood, and the severity varies widely. A small chip might only need smoothing, while a larger break could expose the tooth’s inner pulp and require more extensive treatment.
Dr. Corey Hastings advises parents to save any tooth fragments they can find, rinse their child’s mouth with warm water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and bring their child in for an evaluation. Even minor chips deserve professional attention to prevent sharp edges from cutting soft tissues.
Severe Toothaches
Not all emergencies involve visible trauma. Sometimes your child wakes up with intense tooth pain that won’t subside. Severe toothaches often signal underlying problems like cavities, infections, or abscesses that need prompt treatment.
Dr. Matt Freihofer explains that untreated dental infections can spread beyond the tooth, potentially causing serious health complications. If your child experiences persistent pain, facial swelling, fever, or a bad taste in their mouth, these symptoms warrant immediate attention from an emergency dentist for kids in Dardenne Prairie.
How Little Smiles Handles Dental Emergencies
When dental emergencies strike, our practice responds with efficiency and empathy. We maintain dedicated time slots for urgent cases and work hard to see emergency patients the same day whenever possible. Our comprehensive dental services for kids include specialized trauma and emergency dentistry designed specifically for these unexpected situations.
Dr. Carly Boudreaux emphasizes that our approach goes beyond treating the immediate problem. We take time to explain what happened, what treatment your child needs, and how to prevent similar emergencies in the future. This educational component helps families feel informed and prepared.
Comfort-Focused Emergency Care
Dental emergencies are scary for children. They’re often in pain, confused, and anxious about what comes next. Our pediatric dentists specialize in creating calm, reassuring environments that help kids feel safe during treatment.
For children who need extensive emergency treatment or feel particularly anxious, we offer sedation dentistry options. These safe, effective techniques allow us to complete necessary procedures while keeping your child comfortable and relaxed.
What to Do Before Reaching Our Office
When emergencies happen, those first few minutes matter. Here’s what parents should do:
- Stay calm—your composure helps your child stay calm too
- Assess the situation and control any bleeding with clean gauze
- Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling
- Never apply aspirin directly to gums or teeth
- Contact our office immediately for guidance
Kelly Hastings and our front office team are trained to handle emergency calls efficiently. They’ll ask specific questions to assess the situation and provide immediate guidance while scheduling your appointment.
Prevention Strategies Worth Knowing
While not every dental emergency is preventable, many common ones are. Mouthguards protect teeth during sports. Regular dental checkups catch cavities before they become painful emergencies. Teaching kids not to chew ice, hard candy, or other objects reduces fracture risks.
Our Smile Savers Plan provides an affordable way for families without dental insurance to access preventive care that reduces emergency risks. Regular cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments keep teeth strong and healthy.
Ready When You Need Us
Dental emergencies don’t follow business hours, and we understand that urgent situations arise. Little Smiles prioritizes emergency cases because quick intervention often means the difference between saving and losing a tooth, or between simple and complex treatment.
Whether you’re a current patient or new to our practice, we welcome you to contact our Dardenne Prairie location whenever your child experiences a dental emergency. Our team of experienced pediatric dentists brings decades of combined expertise to every urgent case, treating each child with the specialized care they deserve.
When it comes to your child’s dental health, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Call us if you’re unsure whether something qualifies as an emergency. We’d rather reassure you over the phone than have you wait and risk complications.
Your child’s smile is worth protecting, and as your trusted emergency dentist for kids in Dardenne Prairie, we’re here to help maintain those little smiles for years to come.