Should You Take Your Child to the ER for Tooth Pain?

Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry: Your emergency dentist in Prosper, TX

A dental injury can be a traumatic experience for you and your child. 

A knocked-out tooth, a cracked or broken tooth or unexplained tooth pain can cause you and your child to panic. 

So what do you do in these situations? Do you go to the ER or call your dentist?

In this blog, we explain what is considered a dental emergency, when to take your child to the ER and when to call an emergency pediatric dentist.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency includes any situation that requires immediate attention to save a tooth, stop bleeding, or relieve extreme tooth pain.

Types of Dental Emergencies in Kids

Dental emergencies can range from minor discomfort to serious issues that need immediate attention.

Here are the common types of dental emergencies that you may encounter:

• Knocked-out tooth: This happens when a permanent tooth is completely displaced from the socket.
• Cracked or broken teeth: These can result from accidents, falls, or biting on something hard. 
• Dental abscess: An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth. It typically results from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, or dental trauma that allows bacteria to enter the tooth or surrounding tissues.
• Gum tissue injuries: Cuts in the gums may occur from a fall, sports injury, or other impacts. 
• Tooth with severe decay: A decaying tooth that has reached the inner nerve tissue can cause intense tooth pain.
• Excessive dental bleeding: If your child experiences uncontrolled bleeding in the mouth from an injury or tooth extraction, it requires immediate medical attention to control the bleeding and protect oral health.
• Oral infections: Infections in the mouth can result in facial swelling that can compromise your airway, fever, and facial pain.

Emergency Dentist vs. ER: Where Should You Go?

Your first reaction in an emergency may be to rush your child to the ER. However, not all dental emergencies require a visit to the ER. 

Take your child to the ER in these situations:

• Excessive bleeding
• Facial swelling
• Broken or dislocated jaw
• Severe orofacial trauma
• Signs of infection

When to Visit an Emergency Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentists are equipped to handle dental emergencies. 

Some offices have a 24-hour emergency line for their registered patients. Others will accommodate same-day or next-day appointments.

Contact your pediatric dentist in these situations:

• Cracked or broken teeth
• Persistent tooth pain
• Dental abscess
• Gum tissue injuries

Managing Symptoms Before an Appointment

While waiting for care, there are a few things you can do to relieve your child’s discomfort and control symptoms.

Start by rinsing your child’s mouth gently with warm water. Avoid hot or cold water, as extreme temperatures can make tooth sensitivity worse.

If there is swelling or bruising, apply a cold compress or a clean piece of gauze on the outside of the cheek. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Administer age-appropriate pain medications, following the recommended dosages on the packaging.

If you see excessive bleeding, use a clean cloth or gauze and apply firm pressure until the bleeding stops.

Emergency Pediatric Dentist Near You

If your child is a registered patient and is experiencing a dental emergency, call our 24-hour emergency line at (469) 228-4402.

Visit our dental office in Prosper during our regular business hours at 240 S. Preston Road, Suite 10, Prosper, TX.  We are open Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Friday 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.

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