If your child has a dental emergency during normal business hours, call us at 229-439-8896 for the Albany office or 229-247-3200 for the Valdosta office.
Call 911 if your child is experiencing a medical emergency.
Knocked Out Tooth
If a baby tooth is knocked out, leave it out. Placing it back in the socket could damage the permanent tooth. If your child loses a permanent tooth, recover it, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth into 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 of milk or saliva (milk is best). Time is essential, so contact our office as soon as possible.
Tooth Ache
Contact our office as soon as possible. Pain is often a sign of a serious infection that can get worse if not treated. It is normal for pain to lessen and get worse during the day. If the pain goes away do not assume that the problem has resolved.
If your child is not eating and/or drinking and/or has pain and significant facial swelling, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. Young children can become dehydrated quickly and infection can spread rapidly.
Chipped Tooth
Small chips are common in children. If the chip is small and your child is eating and drinking without sensitivity, the tooth will likely not require treatment. A fracture that extends to the tooth nerve (evidenced by bleeding from the center of the tooth itself or significant sensitivity when eating/drinking or air exposure) needs to be treated immediately, so call our office as soon as possible. Any time you are concerned following an injury, please call our office.
Bumped A Tooth (Concussion/Luxation)
Even if your child’s tooth does not appear to be loose, we need to complete an exam to determine the extent of the injury. If the tooth is loose, it may need to be splinted in place so that it can heal.