Emergencies
We’re Here to Help
If you’re unsure, it’s always best to have us take a look. Early care helps protect your child’s smile!
Contact the office at 778-907-7111 for guidance and next steps.
If your child is experiencing severe pain or swelling of the gums or face, please visit your nearest emergency room for immediate care.
Dental Injuries
What you can do
Contact our office as soon as possible
Keep the area clean
Offer soft foods if your child is uncomfortable
Keep the area clean
Offer soft foods if your child is uncomfortable
Seek immediate care if
Swelling is spreading to the face or eye
Your child has fever or feels unwell
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Your child has fever or feels unwell
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Pain - Toothache & Swelling
Common causes include
A deep cavity (tooth decay)
A chipped or broken tooth
A cut or irritation from objects like fingernails, toys, or hard foods Cheek or lip biting
A canker sore (ulcer)
A loose (wiggly) baby tooth
A new tooth coming in (teething or eruption)
Sores or swelling from a fall or injury
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Bad taste or drainage in the mouth
Fever (in more serious cases)
A chipped or broken tooth
A cut or irritation from objects like fingernails, toys, or hard foods Cheek or lip biting
A canker sore (ulcer)
A loose (wiggly) baby tooth
A new tooth coming in (teething or eruption)
Sores or swelling from a fall or injury
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Bad taste or drainage in the mouth
Fever (in more serious cases)
When to contact us
Pain, swelling, or bleeding
Tooth is loose, moved, or missing
Your child cannot bite comfortably
Tooth is loose, moved, or missing
Your child cannot bite comfortably
Dental Infection (Abscess)
What you might notice
Toothache (constant or throbbing pain)
Swelling of the gums, face, or cheek
A pimple or bump on the gums
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Bad taste or drainage in the mouth
Fever (in more serious cases)
Swelling of the gums, face, or cheek
A pimple or bump on the gums
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Bad taste or drainage in the mouth
Fever (in more serious cases)
Why it matters
Infections do not go away on their own and can spread if left untreated. Prompt care helps relieve pain and prevent complications.
What you can do
Contact our office as soon as possible
Keep the area clean
Offer soft foods if your child is uncomfortable
Keep the area clean
Offer soft foods if your child is uncomfortable
Seek immediate care if
Swelling is spreading to the face or eye
Your child has fever or feels unwell
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Your child has fever or feels unwell
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Please see more information on types of trauma below.
Types of Trauma
1Tooth Concussion (Bruised Tooth)
What it is:
A tooth that has been bumped but not moved or broken
Signs:
Tooth looks normal
Not loose or displaced
Tender to touch or biting
Baby & Permanent Teeth:
Usually observe at home
Soft diet and monitor
A tooth that has been bumped but not moved or broken
Signs:
Tooth looks normal
Not loose or displaced
Tender to touch or biting
Baby & Permanent Teeth:
Usually observe at home
Soft diet and monitor
2Chipped Tooth (Minor Fracture)
A small piece of the tooth breaks off
Usually not painful
Can often be smoothed or repaired easily
Usually not painful
Can often be smoothed or repaired easily
3Tooth Fracture (Broken Tooth)
What it is:
A chip or break in the tooth
Signs:
Missing piece of tooth
Sensitivity or pain
Sometimes bleeding if deep
Baby Teeth:
Often smoothed or repaired
Permanent Teeth:
May need bonding, filling, or more advanced care
A chip or break in the tooth
Signs:
Missing piece of tooth
Sensitivity or pain
Sometimes bleeding if deep
Baby Teeth:
Often smoothed or repaired
Permanent Teeth:
May need bonding, filling, or more advanced care
4Loose Tooth (Subluxation)
What it is:
The tooth is slightly loose but still in place
Signs:
Mild mobility
Possible gum bleeding
Tenderness
Baby Teeth:
Often heal on their own
Monitor closely
Permanent Teeth:
May need follow-up to check healing
The tooth is slightly loose but still in place
Signs:
Mild mobility
Possible gum bleeding
Tenderness
Baby Teeth:
Often heal on their own
Monitor closely
Permanent Teeth:
May need follow-up to check healing
5Displaced Tooth (Luxation)
What it is:
The tooth has moved out of its normal position
Signs:
Tooth looks crooked, pushed in, or sticking out
May be painful
Baby Teeth:
Sometimes left to reposition naturally or monitored
Permanent Teeth:
Needs URGENT dental care to reposition
The tooth has moved out of its normal position
Signs:
Tooth looks crooked, pushed in, or sticking out
May be painful
Baby Teeth:
Sometimes left to reposition naturally or monitored
Permanent Teeth:
Needs URGENT dental care to reposition
6Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulstion)
The entire tooth has come out
Baby Teeth
Do NOT reinsert the tooth
Call the office for guidance
Focus on comfort and healing
Permanent Teeth – EMERGENCY
Try to place the tooth back in the socket immediately
If not possible, store in milk
Get to the dentist within 30–60 minutes
Baby Teeth
Do NOT reinsert the tooth
Call the office for guidance
Focus on comfort and healing
Permanent Teeth – EMERGENCY
Try to place the tooth back in the socket immediately
If not possible, store in milk
Get to the dentist within 30–60 minutes
7Tooth Pushed Into the Gum
Tooth looks shorter or “missing”
Has been pushed into the jaw
Requires careful evaluation and follow-up
Has been pushed into the jaw
Requires careful evaluation and follow-up
8Injuries to Lips, Gums, or Cheeks
Cuts, swelling, or bruising
May need cleaning or stitches We check for any tooth fragments in the area
May need cleaning or stitches We check for any tooth fragments in the area