Whether it’s during the day or after normal business hours, we have got you covered! Should your child experience a dental emergency, we are here to help with a doctor on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you have a serious concern about your child please call the office immediately 484-334-2310 or take your child to the emergency room.
Below Are A Few Helpful Tips On Emergencies
True Dental Emergencies:
- If your child experiences a toothache, the first step is trying to find exactly what area of the mouth or which tooth is causing discomfort. Have your child brush, rinse, and floss the area to dislodge any impacted food that may be causing the problem.
- If the pain is still present, the next step is to take a look inside your child’s mouth. If you see a hole in the tooth, swelling around the gum tissue, or a pimple call the dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
- Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen) can help ease your child’s discomfort until he/she can be seen at the office.
- It is important to let the dentist know what your child was doing when the pain occurred (i.e. eating ice cream, sleeping, watching tv, etc.) as this can help the dentist diagnose and treat your child sooner.
- If bleeding is present apply constant firm but gentle pressure to the area using a clean gauze or paper towel. Continue applying pressure to the area without changing or moving the piece of gauze for no less than 30 full minutes.
- If no decrease in bleeding occurs call the office immediately
- Give Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen) to reduce swelling and help with pain management
- For the first 24 hours after bleeding has stopped, apply ice to the area in 20 minute intervals (20 mins. apply ice, then 20 mins. with no ice). This will reduce inflammation that can lead to more discomfort. For small children who can be squirmy, sugar-free popsicles are a great substitute for ice.
- Just be careful the child doesn’t chew on the popsicle, accidently aggravating the injury.
- It is normal for the skin in that area to peel/shed and change color (red, blue, purple, white, or grey) while healing.
- It is important to contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible should your child chip or break a tooth. Depending on the severity of the trauma, your child may need to be seen immediately to avoid bacteria entering the nerve space of the tooth causing an infection. If possible locate any broken pieces of the tooth and bring them along to the office.
- Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen) can help ease your child’s discomfort until he/she can be seen at the office.
- Until the pediatric dentist has seen your child, avoid extreme temperatures of food (i.e. hot soup, ice water, etc.) as this can cause more trauma to any exposed nerve tissue.
*Contact your pediatric dentist IMMEDIATELY, timing is critical in saving the tooth!
- Baby Tooth – this is a very common occurrence in children but is usually not an emergency. In most cases no treatment is necessary other than pain management.
- Permanent Tooth – Attempt to locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown, or top part, of the tooth. Try to AVOID touching the tooth as much possible.
- If the tooth has no visible dirt or debris and is not broken, REINSERT the tooth into socket as soon as possible. Have the child bite on a piece of clean gauze or paper towel to keep the tooth in place until you arrive at the pediatric dentist office.
- If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place the tooth in milk and bring it to the pediatric dentist office.
- Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen) can help ease your child’s discomfort until he/she can be seen at the office.
This is a common sign of an infected tooth in children. The dentist can prescribe an antibiotic for the infection. Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen) can be given for pain. As long as there is no facial swelling or difficulty breathing, this is not an emergency, however, the child should be as soon as the office is open.
Swelling is a sign of a progressing infection. If your child’s face becomes swollen and he/she is experiencing pain, please contact our office immediately.
When To Go Straight To The Emergency Room
If your child experiences swelling that leads to difficulty breathing or swallowing, your child should be taken to the Emergency Room IMMEDIATELY.