Please call our office to discuss your dental emergency. If our office is closed, you will be instructed how to reach Dr. Bird or a staff member. Many dental emergencies can wait until your next appointment or until the office reopens.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Pick up the tooth by the crown only if possible – do not touch the root. Gently rinse if necessary and replace in the socket. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in a cup of milk. Time is essential in this emergency, so call us or see another dentist immediately!
Knocked Out Baby Tooth
Do not replace this tooth in the socket. Stop the bleeding by biting on gauze or a tea bag. Take acetaminophen as needed. Call our office.
Toothache
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth and rinsing with warm salt water to displace any trapped food. For temporary pain relief, acetaminophen or ibuprofen is recommended if your child can tolerate these pain medicines. In the event of facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area and call our office.
Broken Tooth
Recover any broken tooth pieces if possible. Call our office.
Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out
Bite tightly on a folded piece of gauze or tea bag to stop the bleeding.
Broken Braces or Wire
Remove a broken appliance only if it comes out easily. If a wire is poking, cover it with wax or sugar-free chewing gum. You may also try to clip it with a clean nail clipper. If you have a loose bracket, you may cover it with wax or sugar-free chewing gum if necessary. Call our office to tell us what is broken so we may determine if you need to come in for an emergency appointment.