Dental Trauma

Serving Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, and the surrounding areas

Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Here are a few of the most common pediatric dental accidents and the steps you should take to manage them:

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

Find the tooth! Handle the tooth by the top or crown and not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or scrub the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert the tooth in its socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot replace the tooth, place the tooth in a glass of milk, or some contact lens solution, or wrap it in a clean, wet cloth and call our office immediately. If the tooth is broken, bring any pieces you can find.

As a rule, baby teeth are not replaced in the socket. Even so, please contact our office so that we can figure out the next best step for your child.

If your child has an accident, please contact our office at

(919) 489-1543.

Broken Tooth

Rinse dirt and debris from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the injured area. Locate and save any broken pieces you can find. Call the office at
(919) 489-1543.

Toothache

Clean the area around the sore tooth and rinse with warm saltwater. This will help dislodge any trapped food or debris. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. Do not place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If there is swelling, place a cold compress. Call the office at (919) 489-1543.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

First, apply ice. To stop the bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure using a clean gauze or cloth. If the bleeding has not stopped after 15 minutes, call the office at (919) 489-1543 or go to an emergency room.