Dental emergencies can happen quickly. Your child may fall and chip a tooth, wake up with a severe toothache, or develop gum swelling. When something is wrong, knowing who to call can make all the difference.
Our team provides pediatric emergency dentistry for infants, children, and teens. Because we focus on pediatric dentistry, we understand the unique concerns that come with kids’ dental injuries, tooth pain, and infections. We will evaluate your child, determine what is causing the problem, and explain the treatment options available.
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, call Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry at (708) 448-6700 for compassionate emergency care.
What Is Considered a Pediatric Dental Emergency?
Not every dental problem requires immediate treatment, but certain symptoms and injuries should be evaluated right away. If you are unsure, you can always call our emergency pediatric dental team for guidance about next steps.
Common pediatric dental emergencies include:
- A knocked-out tooth
- A loose or displaced permanent tooth following an injury
- A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Facial or gum swelling
- A dental abscess or other signs of infection
- An injury to the lips, gums, tongue, or other oral tissues
- A damaged filling, crown, or other dental restoration
- Objects stuck between the teeth that cannot be removed safely
Some situations are more urgent than others. Our team can help you understand the next steps based on your child’s symptoms and how the problem occurred.
How Are Pediatric Dental Emergencies Treated?
Treatment depends on what happened, which tooth is affected, and the extent of the injury or infection. Your child’s age and stage of dental development are also important considerations.
During an emergency appointment, our pediatric dentists will gently examine the affected area and may take digital X-rays when needed. We will then explain what we found and discuss the appropriate treatment options with you.
Depending on the problem, treatment could involve repairing a damaged tooth, treating decay, placing a pediatric crown, addressing an infection, or removing a tooth that cannot be saved.
At Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in a conservative approach to treatment. Our goal is to provide the care your child needs while avoiding unnecessary treatment whenever possible.
Helping Children Feel Comfortable During an Emergency Dental Visit
Dental emergencies can be stressful for children, especially when they are already in pain or frightened after an injury.
Our practice is dedicated specifically to compassionate children’s dental care. Our pediatric dentists have completed advanced specialty training beyond dental school and understand how to evaluate and treat young patients while considering their comfort and developmental needs.
We explain procedures in age-appropriate language and work patiently with each child. We also have experience caring for children with special healthcare needs and can adjust our approach based on the individual patient. Additionally, we offer safe sedation options when more extensive dental treatment is needed.
Why Choose Us For Your Child’s Emergency Dental Care?
Here’s why families choose Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry for emergency dental care:
- Pediatric dentists with advanced specialty training
- Child-focused and welcoming dental office
- Conservative approach to treatment
- Experience caring for children with special healthcare needs
- Preventive approach to children’s oral health
- Clear communication with parents and guardians
- Most dental insurance plans accepted
Our team will explain what is happening with your child’s teeth, what treatment may be needed, and what you can do to care for them after treatment.
Can Pediatric Dental Emergencies Be Prevented?
You cannot always prevent every accident, but some habits can reduce your child’s risk of dental injuries and emergencies.
Regular dental exams and cleanings allow us to identify cavities and other concerns before they become an emergency. Daily brushing and flossing also help prevent decay that can eventually lead to toothaches and infections.
Children who participate in sports or other activities with a risk of facial injury may benefit from wearing a properly fitted mouthguard. It is also important to discourage children from chewing ice or other hard objects that could crack or chip their teeth.
Call Our Emergency Dentist for Kids
When your child has severe tooth pain, a dental injury, swelling, or another urgent oral health concern, you should not have to guess about what to do next.
At Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry, our team provides pediatric emergency dentistry with the needs of children and their families in mind. We will evaluate the problem, explain your child’s treatment options, and help you make an informed decision about their care.
If you need an emergency pediatric dentist, call Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry at (708) 448-6700 for assistance.
Pediatric Dental Emergencies – Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do If My Child Knocks Out a Tooth?
What you should do depends partly on whether your child lost a baby tooth or permanent tooth.
If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, time matters. Pick it up by the crown, which is the visible white portion of the tooth, rather than touching the root. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing or removing attached tissue. If possible, place the tooth back into its socket and have your child gently hold it in place. If you cannot reinsert it, keep it moist and contact a dentist immediately.
A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back into its socket because doing so could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath it.
In either situation, call (708) 448-6700 so Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry can help you determine what to do.
What Should I Do If My Child Chips or Breaks a Tooth?
Children can chip or fracture teeth while playing sports, falling, biting something hard, or simply being active.
If your child breaks a tooth, have them rinse gently with water. If you can find the broken piece, save it and bring it with you to the dental appointment. A cold compress placed on the outside of the face may help with swelling.
Even a small chip should be evaluated. A fracture may involve only the enamel, or it can extend deeper into the tooth and expose sensitive inner layers. The appropriate treatment will depend on the extent of the damage and whether the injured tooth is primary or permanent.
Our pediatric dentists can examine the tooth and recommend treatment to protect your child’s oral health.
When Is a Toothache a Dental Emergency for a Child?
A toothache can have many causes, including tooth decay, a damaged tooth, food trapped between teeth, or an infection.
If your child complains about tooth pain, have them gently rinse their mouth and carefully floss around the affected tooth to remove any trapped food. Avoid placing aspirin directly against the tooth or gums.
Contact an emergency dentist for kids if the pain is severe, does not improve, interferes with eating or sleeping, or occurs with swelling or other signs of infection.
Pain is the body’s way of indicating that something may be wrong. Treating the underlying dental problem is more important than simply trying to make the discomfort disappear.
What Are Signs of a Dental Abscess or Infection in a Child?
An abscess is a pocket of infection that can develop around a tooth or in the surrounding tissues. Dental infections require professional treatment and should not be managed with home remedies alone.
Possible signs of an abscess include tooth pain, gum swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gums, sensitivity, a bad taste in the mouth, or swelling around the face or jaw.
If you suspect an abscess, contact our office promptly. If your child develops significant facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or other symptoms that could indicate a serious or spreading infection, seek emergency medical attention.
Does Emergency Dental Care for Baby Teeth Matter?
Parents sometimes wonder whether an injured or decayed baby tooth needs treatment since it will eventually fall out. Primary teeth are temporary, but they still play important roles in your child’s oral development.
Baby teeth help children chew and speak, and they maintain space for permanent teeth. Untreated decay or infection can also cause significant discomfort and may affect the surrounding tissues.
Our pediatric dentists consider the type of injury, your child’s age, the condition of the tooth, and how close the tooth is to falling out naturally when recommending treatment.
