If you are an established patient of Pediatric Dentistry, P.C., call Dr. Johnson immediately at (402)423-3322 (24 hours/day, 7 days/wk) in the event of a dental emergency, or if you feel your child may have a dental emergency.

The following are some questions and answers with which all parents should become familiar to prevent dental emergencies and assist in the management of a dental emergency:

How do I help prevent dental emergencies?
Most dental emergencies can be prevented with regular visits to the dentist, a proper oral health routine at home, and proper safety and protective equipment. First and foremost, regular “comprehensive care” visits to our office will introduce an oral health routine appropriate for your child’s level of development. Secondly, reinforcement of the oral health routine at home will provide daily preventive measures to help ensure oral health. Lastly, adhering to age-appropriate safety principles such as the proper use of car seat restraints, use of car safety belts, “child-proofing” your home to prevent head trauma (such as falls or electrical burns), and wearing of athletic mouthguards, helmets, and face-protection when appropriate can significantly reduce the risk of oral injury.

What if my child's permanent tooth is knocked out completely?

1. Find the tooth, gently remove any visible debris (do NOT rinse the tooth) and REPLACE IT in the socket.
2. Hold the tooth in the socket by biting gently on gauze or a clean cloth.
3. Call Dr. Johnson immediately.

Optimum healing of the knocked-out tooth can occur if the tooth is immediately replanted (within 15 minutes). Most children report that the replantation is NOT painful, although it may feel a little uncomfortable.
If you don’t put the tooth back in the socket immediately, place the tooth in a container with cool milk and contact Dr. Johnson immediately. Unfortunately, if a tooth is not immediately (within 15 minutes) replanted, the prognosis of the tooth rapidly declines.

What if my child's baby (“primary”) tooth is knocked out completely?
Contact Dr. Johnson immediately. Replantation of baby (“primary”) teeth is not necessary and not recommended. Dr. Johnson will arrange for an examination as soon as possible to ensure proper healing of the traumatized area.

What if my child chips a tooth?
Attempt to locate the piece of the tooth that has been dislodged, and contact Dr. Johnson immediately. Store the broken piece of the tooth in a plastic bag so that it is not easily lost. Dr. Johnson will arrange for an examination depending upon the specific information you provide about the chipped tooth, the symptoms your child is having, and the extent of the trauma. Proper treatment timing can not only make your child feel better, but can prevent infection and other complications, and minimize the additional treatment which is necessary to retain the tooth for a lifetime.

What if my child has a toothache?
Brush and floss teeth in the area of the toothache and inspect the area to determine if the tooth has any damage or if the gums are swollen or reddened in the area around the toothache. Consider administering children’s ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) in accordance with the weight-based dosing guidelines provided with the medicine’s packaging. If your child’s pain is severe, you see a swelling around the tooth, your child is running a fever, or there is any swelling in your child’s face, call Dr. Johnson as soon as possible.