Dental Emergency Services

Providing All Dental Emergency Services That You Child Needs

Dental emergencies come in several different forms and require immediate attention. Timing is of the essence and can save your child’s tooth. If you have any questions about whether or not a situation is urgent, call Chew Chew Dentistry to be sure. We would rather have a false alarm than a patient whose tooth could have been saved if we had only had time to treat it.

To schedule an appointment, use our online form or call us at (423) 264-3301.

If Your Child Have the Following Dental Emergencies, Call Us Immediately

Toothache

If your child complains of a toothache, rinse their mouth with warm salt water and inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing stuck between them or lodged in the gums. If the pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Be sure to not apply heat or any pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Children’s pain relievers, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, may be taken orally. If swelling occurs, contact our office immediately.

Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Permanent Tooth

In the case of a knocked-out permanent tooth, where the tooth is completely out of the socket, handle it only by the crown and avoid touching the roots. Rinse the tooth in water (remember to plug the drain first) and place it in a cup of saliva or milk. You can also try to reinsert the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place until you are able to come see us. Contact us immediately for instructions. The sooner we can provide treatment, the more likely we will be able to save the tooth. Please note that primary (baby) teeth should not be reinserted.

Loose Tooth

A baby tooth that is knocked loose rather than becoming loose on its own may need treatment or may be able to be monitored. However, if a permanent tooth has been knocked loose but is still attached, please call our office immediately.

Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Tooth

If your child has chipped or broken a piece off his or her tooth, have them rinse their mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.

Object Stuck Between Teeth or in Gums

If your child has something caught between his or her teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.

Canker Sore/Cold Sore

Cold sores and canker sores will usually heal within a few days to a few weeks. To alleviate any pain your child may have, you can use over-the-counter pain medications and/or topical numbing gels. If these areas do not heal naturally within two weeks, please contact us.

Injured/Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

If your child has bitten their lip, cheek, or tongue and it is severe enough to cause bleeding, clean the wound gently with cold water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce the risk of swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the injury is and the proper course of action.

Broken Jaw

Any injury to the jaw can be very serious. Apply ice to reduce swelling and maintain stationary support of the lower jaw. If you have any reason to believe that your child’s jaw may be broken, please go immediately to the nearest emergency room.