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If you’re unsure, it’s always best to have us take a look. Early care helps protect your child’s smile!
Toothache & Swelling

Pain

There are many reasons

why a child may experience pain in or around the mouth. Some causes are simple and temporary, while others may need dental care.

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

When to Contact Us

  • Pain, swelling, or bleeding
  • Tooth is loose, moved, or missing
  • Your child cannot bite comfortably
Let us help in an Emergency

Dental Trauma Management

Dental injuries

can happen suddenly, and knowing what to do can make a big difference. Quick action can help protect your child’s teeth and improve outcomes.

  • Stay calm and reassure your child
  • Control bleeding with gentle pressure
  • Locate any broken or knocked-out tooth
  • Handle teeth by the crown (top), not the root
  • If a permanent tooth is knocked out, try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk
  • Contact your dentist immediately

Prompt care is important for the best possible recovery. If your child experiences a dental injury, please reach out to us right away. 

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
2Chipped Tooth (Minor Fracture)
A small piece of the tooth breaks off
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
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
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
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
7Tooth Pushed Into the Gum
Tooth looks shorter or “missing”
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
INFECTIONS

Dental Infection (Abscess)

A dental infection happens when bacteria enter the tooth or gums, often from a cavity or injury. These infections can worsen quickly, so early care is important

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)

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

Seek Immediate Care If

  • Swelling is spreading to the face or eye
  • Your child has fever or feels unwell
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing