Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a painful infection associated with a necrotic tooth, often accompanied by swelling in the gums or face:

• Rinse: Use warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in a cup of water) to clean the area.
• Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling.
• Pain Relief: Children’s Tylenol or Motrin can help ease discomfort.
• Contact Us: This is a dental emergency. Call our office right away for immediate care.

If appropriate, we may prescribe an antibiotic to manage symptoms such as pain and swelling.

Knocked-out Tooth

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, act quickly:

• Find the Tooth: Pick it up by the crown, not the root.
• Clean It: Rinse gently with milk, without scrubbing or removing tissue.
• Replace in Socket: Reinsert the tooth if possible and have your child bite on gauze.
• If you can't reinsert it, store it in milk, saline solution, or saliva.
• Seek Help: Contact us or an emergency dentist immediately. Time is critical for reimplantation success.

If a primary tooth is knocked out, rinse your child’s mouth and call us. Don’t attempt to re-implant baby teeth.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Cuts inside the mouth, such as on the tongue, lips, gums, or cheeks can bleed heavily:

Rinse: Use warm salt water to clean the area.

Apply Pressure: Use a clean cloth to gently press on the wound to stop bleeding.

Seek Care: If the bleeding doesn't stop, bring your child to our office or the emergency room.