Dental Emergency
If your child has a life-threatening emergency or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If your child has a dental emergency, give our office a call immediately. We are here to assist you.
Regular office hour, call our office: (707) 685-9819
After hours/weekend, call or text: (707) 474-4543
Here are some of the common dental emergencies:
Toothache
The first step to take if your child is suffering with persistent toothache (for longer than a day or two) is to call our office to schedule an emergency pediatric dental exam. During your child's appointment, we may take x-ray of your child's tooth to help determine if a cavity, crack, abscess or other problem is causing pain before discussing treatment options with you and your child.
Swelling/Infection
If you notice any face swelling, please call our office immediately. However if swelling is approaching the eye or giving you child difficulties in breathing, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Cut or bitten lip, tongue or cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, or it can not be controlled by simple pressure, call our office or go to the nearest emergency room.
Broken tooth/filling
If your child has a broken tooth, see if you can find the pieces of the tooth and keep it. Call our office immediately for an appointment. If your child has a broken filling, please call our office for an appointment to have it looked at.
Knocked out baby tooth
A knocked out tooth is a common dental problem, especially for kids. Teeth can be knocked out due to a fall or playground accident. If it is a baby tooth, we can not put it back in the mouth. Try to find the tooth and the doctor may ask you to take a picture of the tooth. Please call our office to see if your child needs to be seen immediately.
Knocked out permanent tooth
If you child knocked out a permanent tooth, call our office immediately. Find the tooth, handle by the top (crown, not the root portion. Do not try to clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Place the tooth in milk as soon as possible.
Loose space maintainer or broken braces/ wire
If a broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Call our office immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child don't usually require emergency attention.