Pediatric dental emergencies

Is it a dental emergency, or can it wait?

Not every bump or wobble needs a rush to the dentist. Some problems are urgent because time matters for saving the tooth. Others can safely wait for a regular appointment. When you're not sure, call us. Helping you decide is part of what we do.

If you're torn between two rows, choose the faster one. We'd much rather hear about a small chip than have you wait on a tooth that needed attention sooner. For step-by-step help with each injury, including how to tell a baby tooth from an adult tooth, bookmark our first-aid guide for knocked-out and chipped teeth.

When to call 911 or go to the ER instead

Teeth can wait a few minutes. A head injury can't. Before you look for a missing tooth, check on your child as a whole. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for:

• A head injury, or signs of one such as headache, vomiting, confusion, or unusual sleepiness
• Any loss of consciousness, even briefly
• Bleeding that won't stop with firm, steady pressure
• Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, or that spreads toward the eye
• A jaw that may be broken, or a mouth your child can't open or close normally
• A deep or gaping cut on the face or lips that may need stitches

How to reach us when something happens

Call us at (916) 770-4567. Please don't use our online appointment form for an injury or severe pain. A phone call is faster, and it lets us ask the right questions.

What we'll ask you

A few details help us judge how quickly your child needs to be seen:

• What happened, and about when
• Which tooth is hurt, and whether you think it's a baby or adult tooth
• Whether there's bleeding, swelling, or pain, and whether your child hit their head
• Whether you found the tooth or any broken pieces

How quickly we can see your child

We set aside time for urgent problems whenever we can. We can't promise a same-day visit every time, but we'll do our best to see your child as soon as possible, and we'll tell you honestly if another option would be faster. Our contact details are on our contact page. New to our practice? Our new patient page explains what to bring.

If our office is closed

Don't wait until morning with something urgent. If we're closed and your child has a knocked-out adult tooth, a serious injury, or swelling along with pain or fever, go to the nearest emergency room. For problems that can wait, call us when we open.

What happens at an emergency visit

A hurt child is often scared, sore, and a little embarrassed. We move calmly, explain each step using our tell-show-do approach, and you're welcome to stay right beside your child.

1. Settle in

   We help your child get comfortable and hear what happened. If anything suggests a head injury that hasn't been checked, we'll ask you to have that looked at first.

2. Look closely

   We examine the teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and jaw, and check how the teeth come together.

3. Take X-rays if needed

   Low-dose digital X-rays show the roots, breaks hiding below the gumline, and the adult teeth developing underneath.

4. Ease pain and protect the tooth

   That might mean smoothing a sharp edge, repairing a chip with tooth-colored material, guiding a tooth back into position, or steadying a loose or replanted tooth with a small, flexible splint.

5. Plan the follow-up

   Injured teeth can change over the following weeks and months, so we'll tell you what to watch for and when to come back.

If more treatment is needed

Some injuries and infections reach the pulp, the soft center of the tooth. A baby tooth in that situation may need pulp therapy (a baby root canal) or a crown for a baby tooth to keep it working until the adult tooth is ready. For a very anxious child or a longer procedure, we can talk with you about sedation options.

Costs and insurance

Many plans cover the exam and X-rays for an injury, and some or all of the treatment, but coverage varies. Before treatment, we'll explain your options, verify your benefits, and let you know what to expect in cost. We accept most PPO plans, and our insurance page has the details.

Toothaches: when they're urgent

A toothache always deserves attention, but it isn't always an emergency. Call us the same day if the pain keeps your child up at night, or comes with a fever or swelling in the face or gums. A small, pimple-like bump on the gum near a sore tooth can be a sign of infection and also needs a prompt visit.

Mild soreness that comes and goes, or a twinge with cold drinks, can usually wait for the next available appointment. Our parent guide to toothaches in children covers common causes and safe home care in the meantime. Many toothaches start with a cavity, which can often be fixed with a simple tooth-colored filling when it's caught early.

Preventing dental injuries

You can't bubble-wrap a busy kid, but a few habits go a long way toward keeping teeth in one piece.

Mouthguards for sports

The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for contact sports and other activities where falls or hits to the face are likely. There are three main types:

• Stock mouthguards come ready to wear. They're inexpensive but often bulky and loose.
• Boil-and-bite mouthguards soften in hot water and are shaped to your child's teeth at home.
• Custom-fitted mouthguards are made by a dentist from a model of your child's teeth, so they tend to fit most comfortably.

The right mouthguard is the one your child will actually keep in. Kids' mouths change quickly as teeth come and go, so check the fit each season and replace any guard that's torn, chewed, or loose.

Other everyday protection

• Helmets for biking, scooters, and skating, and face guards for sports that use them
• A check on how the front teeth line up. Upper front teeth that stick out are more likely to be hit in a fall, which is one thing we look at during an early orthodontic evaluation.
• Regular checkups and cleanings, where we can bring up injury prevention and look at your child's mouthguard