What To Do In An Emergency

kid with model teeth

Life Happens

Pediatric Emergencies

There is a wide range of what qualifies as a dental emergency, from a chipped tooth to a loose bracket on your braces. If your child is feeling lasting dental pain, knocks out a permanent tooth, (or a baby tooth prematurely), get in touch right away, and we’ll determine if a visit to the office is necessary. When it comes to you and your child’s smiles, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Frequently asked questions

What do I do if my child loses a permanent tooth?

Accidents happen, and if your child knocks out a tooth, the best course of action is to remain calm, and to act quickly. A natural tooth can only be reattached successfully within the first few hours of it being knocked out. If you can find the tooth, rinse it off and place it in a small container of cold milk, and get to the dentist right away. Call us at (301) 664-4220 so we can prepare for your visit, and restore your child’s smile!

What if my child cracks or chips a tooth?

If your child cracks or chips a tooth, have them rinse their mouth with warm water, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. In the case of a chipped tooth, bring the chipped piece if you’re able to locate it. Come to our office right away, and we will assess your child’s injury to ensure it is not anything more severe, and provide treatment options to relieve their pain and restore their smile.

What foods and habits should my child avoid?

We recommend avoiding hard, sticky foods such as caramel apples and peanut brittle to keep your child's teeth strong and free from any orthodontic or dental issues. If your child chews ice or pencils, these are habits to break now to avoid problematic dental emergencies in the future.

What if I’m not sure my situation qualifies as an emergency?

When it comes to the health of you and your child, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Give us a call at (301) 664-4220 and one of our team members will help decide if a visit to the office is necessary, and if not, they’ll give you recommendations on home treatments.

Keep Your Teeth On Track

Orthodontic Emergencies

While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, our team is on standby to help your child when something goes wrong. You can actually temporarily resolve many problems yourself until you can get to our office. However, if you or your child are experiencing severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you cannot take care of yourself, don't hesitate to call our office. We'll make sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to resolve the problem.

girl with tooth pain

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my child’s brackets are loose?

If your child’s brackets are loose and aggravating their mouth, place a small amount of wax on the part causing discomfort. If a bracket has fully detached from their braces, simply put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to their next appointment. If your child is not in severe pain, please give us a call during business hours so we can make you an extra appointment.

What should I do if my child’s wires are loose?

If your child is struggling with a loose wire, use a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers to try and put it back into place. If neither of these options ease your child’s wire into a more comfortable position, use a small fingernail clipper to trim the wire and add wax to keep it from poking.

What should I do if my child’s wires are poking their mouth?

If your child’s wires are poking their mouth, adding soft wax on the sharp end may alleviate discomfort. If it is after-hours and you are unable to alleviate the discomfort yourself and your child is in severe pain and/or cannot eat, please call our emergency line at (301) 664-4220. Wires that remain damaged over a period of time can prolong your child’s treatment time and cause unwanted infections.

 Is it normal for my child’s braces to hurt?

 It’s completely normal for your child to feel slight discomfort for a couple of days as their teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to their new braces. Please feel free to administer over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed. After this short period, the pain should ease as their teeth and jaw begin to adapt to the pressure.

What foods and habits should my child avoid?

We recommend avoiding hard, sticky foods such as caramel apples and peanut brittle to keep your child's teeth strong and free from any orthodontic or dental issues. If your child chews ice or pencils, these are habits to break now to avoid problematic dental emergencies in the future.

What if I’m not sure my situation qualifies as an emergency?

When it comes to the health of you and your child, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Give us a call at (301) 664-4220 and one of our team members will help decide if a visit to the office is necessary, and if not, they’ll give you recommendations on home treatments.

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