Emergency Care for Your Child's Smile
Dr. Susan Blair at Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry provide the best emergency dental care, even during those unexpected moments. Accidents happen, and our team is here for you when they do!
Treating Common Dental Issues at Home
Accidents happen, and when they do, our team is here for you. Please call our emergency number if you require urgent assistance after regular hours.
At Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, we're committed to keeping your child's smile safe. To ensure you're prepared, here are some valuable tips for managing urgent dental situations:
Bitten Lip or Tongue
If your child has a bitten lip or tongue severe enough to cause bleeding, gently clean the bite with water. Applying a cold compress, like a wet towel or washcloth, can help reduce or prevent swelling. Please reach out to us for further guidance on assessing the seriousness of the injury.
Object Caught In Teeth
If your child gets something caught between their teeth, use dental floss to remove it gently. Avoid using metal, plastic, or sharp tools, as they can cause harm. If you can't remove the object with dental floss, contact us for more help.
Loose Tooth
When dealing with a loose tooth due to dental trauma, it's essential to have it stabilized to maintain the tooth or remove it to prevent accidental swallowing or aspiration. Contact our Hinsdale office for an evaluation.
Broken Jaw
If you suspect your child has a broken jaw, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Then, call our emergency number and proceed to the hospital immediately. Severe blows to the head can be dangerous, even life-threatening.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth
In the event of a chipped or broken tooth:
- Start by rinsing your child's mouth with warm water.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Locate and save the broken tooth fragment.
- Contact us immediately for the next steps.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If your child has a permanent tooth knocked out, it's crucial to locate the tooth and rinse off any debris with water (no soap). Be careful to touch only the crown of the tooth (the visible part).
Store the tooth in a clean container with milk. Then, give us a call immediately. Quick action increases the chance of saving the tooth.
Toothache
If your child complains of a toothache, begin by rinsing their mouth with warm water and inspecting the teeth for trapped objects. If the pain persists, use a cold compress for relief.
Avoid applying heat, aspirin, or topical pain relievers directly to the affected area, as this can harm the gums. Your child can take oral pain relievers to ease discomfort. Schedule an appointment with us to determine the root cause.
Avoiding Injury
Here are some simple yet effective measures to help protect your child from dental emergencies:
- Child-proof your house to prevent falls and accidents.
- Discourage your child from chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard foods.
- Always use car seats for young children and ensure seatbelts for older ones.
- If your child participates in contact sports, consider a custom-fitted mouthguard—feel free to ask us about creating one.
- Brush and floss regularly and maintain routine visits to our office to prevent toothaches and ensure a healthy smile.
Contact Our Team For Emergencies
Your child's dental health is our top priority, and we're here to help every step of the way. Contact Dr. Blair at Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry in Hinsdale whenever you need assistance or guidance.