Dental Emergency provided by Dr. David Raphael
, Dr. Patricia Peirano
, and Dr. Jennifer Dole in Portland, OR at Portland Children's Dentistry
Dental Emergency
Portland OR
Here at Portland Children's Dentistry in Portland, OR, we always try to make time for dental emergencies that your children may have.
Dental emergencies can be quite scary, because injuries to the mouth tend to bleed profusely. However, as long as you stay relaxed and know what to do, everything will be all right.
If you believe a dental emergency warrants it, or if you are not sure, please call 911 immediately. Otherwise, call us right away at (503) 893-2889 and let us know what happened, and we will do our very best to make time to see your child immediately. If the emergency occurs outside of office hours, you will be able to reach
Dr. David or
Dr. Patty through our office phone number.
What If Your Child's Tooth Gets Knocked Out, Fractured, or Loosened?
Anytime your child accidentally knocks out, fractures, or loosens a tooth, you should let us know, so that we can gauge what the best course of action is and make plans to follow through.
Knocked Out Tooth
Usually, we will not replace
baby teeth that have been knocked out, because there is a chance that replacing the tooth will damage the adult tooth that is waiting to erupt. That doesn't mean that you should not take action when your child accidentally loses a baby tooth. Here are some steps that you can take following the accidental loss of a tooth:
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Recover the tooth, making sure to grip it only by the crown.
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Avoid touching the broken of bloody end of the tooth, as this can damage it.
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Gently rinse the tooth off with some water if it has dirt or debris on it, and avoid scrubbing the tooth.
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If the child is young, place the tooth in a Tupperware with some milk to transport it to our office. Don't place the tooth back in the mouth of a young child, as they may swallow it.
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If the child is older, you can have them gently place it back into the socket, or suggest that they hold it between their lip and gums to transport it to our Portland office.
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Make sure to keep the tooth moist while you transport it to our office. Teeth that are allowed to dry out may become damaged.
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Call us as soon as you can to let us know that you have a dental emergency and are on your way. |
Fractured tooth
A tooth fracture may involve the outer layers of the tooth (enamel and dentin) or extend to the blood vessels and nerves (pulp) that run down the middle of the tooth. A tooth fracture which extends to the pulp requires immediate treatment in order to give the tooth the best chance of
remaining healthy. If you see the tooth bleeding from the center (not from the gums), it is important that your child be seen right away.
Loose/Displaced tooth
A loose tooth may be a sign that the tooth is fractured beneath the gumline. An
x-ray will help to determine the best course of treatment. On the way to the office, have your child bite gently on a washcloth to apply gentle pressure to the tooth.
What If Your Child Has a Toothache or Pain
When a toothache or oral pain occurs, there is usually a reason. If the issue persists, call us to schedule an appointment.
Toothache
If your child complains of a toothache, take the following steps.
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Clean the area with warm water, using the rinse and spit method. Do not medicate the area directly.
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Do a visual inspection of the area, look for food matter or things that might be stuck between the teeth, and remove what you find by gently flossing the area.
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Apply a cold compress to the cheek outside of the sore spot in the mouth.
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Contact us to let us know what is going on. |
Oral Pain
Oral pain can come from a variety of different sources: canker sores, hot/cold stimulus, a filling left too high, a cavity or [infection, or trauma. Tylenol and Ibuprofen (in appropriate doses for your child) are very effective at relieving dental pain.
What If Your Child Bites their Cheek or Tongue?
If your child receives a cut or bites themselves on the cheek or the tongue, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the pain and comfort the child.
Rinse the mouth gently with some warm water. And apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth near the site.
When Your Child Has Swelling or Mouth Infection
Swelling of the gums or face can be a sign of dental infection. It can appear as a small bump above the affected tooth or as facial swelling that extends outside of the mouth. Antibiotics may be indicated if the infection is causing fever, pain, extensive swelling, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
If you have any questions about a potential dental emergency, contact our Portland office at (503) 893-2889 today, and we can discuss the best options for your particular circumstances. 
