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If your child is involved in an accident resulting in injuries to the mouth or teeth, please call our office as soon as possible. If you are calling after business hours, please listen for the prompt for the on-call dentist. After consideration of your child’s injuries, a determination will be made regarding the need for immediate treatment. Most dental injuries do not require immediate attention; if so, please follow the directions below:
First 24 hours
Soft diet
Apply cold compresses and/or popsicles, slurpies, and ice chips; warm salt water rinses after meals, if child is old enough to rinse out. Please give Tylenol or Motrin for discomfort, not aspirin. Cut food in small pieces, and chew with the back molar teeth. If patient is a toddler, keep hard toys away for a few days. Gum tissue may appear black and blue and swollen. This resolves quickly, usually within 48-72 hours. If gum tissue was involved and bleeding, there may be traces of blood on the pillow after naps or sleeping for the first 24 hours.
Monitor after initial healing
Gum tissue may appear discolored or gray as part of the normal healing process.
If gum tissue is bright red and /or fever is present, the child should be examined; antibiotics are usually indicated.
Change in tooth color means internal bleeding; however, the tooth may recover and remain healthy.
Blister or pimple on the gum tissue above the tooth means the tooth needs attention.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
