Because dental emergencies often involve a blow to the head or face, you should take your child into the nearest emergency room or call 911 anytime they lose consciousness or if they have trouble breathing. You should also visit the emergency room if your child has either of these symptoms:

• Possibe Broken Jaw: A broken jaw can affect the way your child’s teeth and jaw grow, which is why you should seek emergency care. If your little one has swelling, pain, or numbness in their jaw area after a blow to the head. Broken jaws can also cause teeth displacement, bruising, or teeth that feel loose.

• Severe Bleeding: If your child is bleeding a lot, don’t wait to schedule a dental appointment—contact emergency responders immediately. While you wait for emergency services, apply pressure to the area with clean gauze. Instead of removing the gauze and replacing it with a clean variety, add more gauze. Switching gauze instead of adding more can pull out the clot, which can cause more blood loss.

Not all dental emergencies need a trip to the emergency room. If your child has a dental injury but is otherwise fine, you can contact our office to meet with an emergency pediatric dentist. We will work hard to see your child as soon as possible. Here are a few reasons to seek emergency dental care.

• Knocked out teeth: Knocked-out teeth, also called dental avulsions, can seem scary. But Indianapolis pediatric dentist Dr. Edwards might be able to reattach it if you are careful. After you find the tooth, pick it up by the crown (not the roots) and rinse it off with clean water to remove the grime. Keep the tooth moist by holding it in milk or water. If your child is older, they can also keep the tooth in the pouch between their cheek and teeth.

• Tooth Displacement: If your child has an accident that causes tooth displacement, try to avoid moving the teeth back into their original position. Instead, offer your child a pain reliever, such as Children’s Tylenol. Then, apply a cold compress to relieve swelling. After evaluating the injury, our clinicians can move the teeth back into place and splint the area if necessary.

• Tooth Chip or Fracture: If your child suffers a tooth chip or a crown fracture, cleanse the area with warm water. Like with tooth displacement, apply a cold compress. Again, offering a strong pain reliever, such as Children’s Tylenol, could help your child to remain calm until their appointment.

If your child experiences mild dental trauma, you might be able to treat them from the comfort of your own home. Here are a few examples of when at-home care would be appropriate.

• Bitten Toungue or Lip: Sudden falls or sports-related injuries can lead to bitten tongues or lips, which can lead to mild cuts or abrasions. If the area is bleeding, apply some clean gauze until it stops. If your child is in pain, offer a pain reliever or apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek. These kinds of simple injuries heal within a few days.

• Toothaches: Toothaches can come from impacted food, infection, trauma, or even wisdom teeth eruptions. To keep your child comfortable, check the teeth for food and help your child to brush and floss. Look for redness, swelling, and signs of infections. If the area is infected, make an appointment for an emergency visit with our office. But, if the tooth is only aching because it is coming in, there is nothing to worry about.