Tooth Ache
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth meticulously. If your child is able to rinse with warm water, rinse the mouth to displace any food trapped between teeth. Try to floss inbetween the sore tooth and the adjacent teeth.  Check for any swelling on the gum tissue surrouding the tooth.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you use aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum. In the event of facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. For temporary pain relief, Tylenol or Motrin/Advil is recommended. See a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Ice or a cold cloth can be applied to any bruised areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, call the office for advice.  You may be instructed to come into the office or go to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 

Broken Tooth
Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury. Call the office for advice.  We will want to know whether it's a baby tooth or a permanent tooth and how much of the tooth is chipped.  It is also important to be able to let us know if the tooth is displaced or not and if the dental pulp (nerve) is exposed.   If the tooth is a permanent tooth, try to recover any broken tooth fragments and put them in milk.  Seek immediate dental advice.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root end. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk , Save-A-Tooth or water. Because time is essential, see a dentist immediately.

Other Emergency Conditions:

Possible Broken Jaw
In the event of jaw injury, tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief. Go immediately to an emergency room.

Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold a piece of gauze and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes; if bleeding continues, call our office.  

Canker or Cold Sores
Over-the-counter medications and anti-inflammatory analgesics will usually provide temporary relief.  If sores persist, let our office know.  Sores generally last about 10-14 days and can be very painful.  Avoid acidic foods and beverages and mint-flavored toothpastes.  Canker sores are not transmissible.  Please let Dr. Enright or Dr. Piedad know if your child has recurrent bouts of canker sores.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus and are generally preceeded by a primary herpes infection.  A crusted sore will appear on the lip after a prodromal period in which the lip tingles and is sore for a few days.  Because the virus stays dormant in the body, recurrent outbreaks can occur.  Outbreaks can be precipitated by exposure to various foods and sunlight.  The herpes virus is transmissible and kissing and sharing of glasses and eating utensils should be avoided during time of active infection.