Here When You Need Us Most
Emergency Dental Care
Dental emergencies often happen when you least expect them—during a soccer game, on the playground, or right before bed. We know how frightening it can be to see your child in pain or with a dental injury.
At Nurture Kids Dentistry, we set aside time in our daily schedule to accommodate emergencies. If your child has been injured, please stay calm and call us immediately at (425) 270-3758.
Quick Action Guide: What To Do Now
Knocked-Out PERMANENT Tooth (Adult Tooth)
TIME IS CRITICAL. You have less than 60 minutes to save the tooth.
- Find the tooth. Hold it by the crown (the white top part), NOT the root.
- If dirty, rinse gently with water. Do not scrub or use soap.
- Try to reinsert the tooth immediately into the socket. Have your child bite on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place.
- If you cannot put it back in, place the tooth in a cup of cold milk or your child's saliva (spit). Do not store in water.
- Go to our office immediately.
Knocked-Out BABY Tooth
- Do NOT try to put the tooth back in. Reinserting a baby tooth can damage the permanent tooth growing underneath.
- Control any bleeding with a clean washcloth and pressure.
- Find the tooth (to ensure it wasn't swallowed or inhaled) and bring it with you.
- Call us to schedule an exam to check for other damage.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- If there is swelling, place a cold compress on the face.
- Find the broken tooth fragment if possible—we may be able to bond it back on! Keep it in milk/saliva.
- Call us immediately. Even if it doesn't hurt, the nerve could be exposed.
Severe Toothache
- Clean the area. Have your child rinse with warm salt water and use floss to dislodge any food trapped between teeth.
- Do NOT place aspirin on the gums. This can cause a chemical burn.
- Give Children’s Tylenol or Motrin for pain relief.
- If the face is swollen, this is a sign of infection. Call us immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert Answers to Your Common Questions
Should I go to the ER or the Dentist?
For most dental injuries (broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, toothaches), the dentist is the best place to go. Hospital ERs are generally not equipped to fix or replant teeth. However, go to the ER if:
- Your child has lost consciousness or feels dizzy (concussion).
- There is uncontrollable bleeding.
- There is severe facial trauma (suspected broken jaw).
- The swelling is affecting their breathing or swallowing.
What if the emergency happens after hours or on the weekend?
We are committed to our patients of record. If you call our main line (425) 270-3758 after hours, our voicemail will provide instructions on how to reach Dr. Jumani or the on-call doctor for urgent guidance.
My child bit their tongue/lip and it's bleeding a lot. What do I do?
The mouth has a lot of blood vessels, so even small cuts look scary! Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply firm pressure with a cold compress or ice pack. The bleeding should stop within 15 minutes. If it does not stop, or if the cut looks very deep, go to the ER or Urgent Care as stitches may be needed.
Can a chipped baby tooth wait until Monday?
It depends. If the chip is small (just enamel) and your child is in no pain, it can usually wait a day or two. However, if the chip is reddish (showing the nerve) or if the tooth is sensitive to cold air/water, you should be seen as soon as possible to prevent infection and pain.
Disclaimer: Please note that the provided information above is based on general knowledge, and it's always recommended to consult with Dr. Ketan Jumanji or our dental team for personalized advice and recommendations regarding your or your child's specific dental needs and conditions.
