what is emergency children's dentistry?
Injuries can happen unexpectedly, which is why board-certified pediatric dentists Dr. Jeni Kong and Dr. Milee Kim provide emergency dental care for children at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA. If your child is a patient of record and faces an urgent dental emergency outside of office hours, you can call our office and follow the greeting to reach our emergency number.
Common emergencies include broken or chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, and trauma to soft tissues. These issues may result from chewing hard foods, sports accidents, or unexpected falls. Even if your child does not feel pain right away, it is essential to have their mouth checked for hidden damage.
Dr. Kong, Dr. Kim, and our compassionate team prioritize urgent cases, delivering immediate care and guidance to protect your child’s smile and prevent future complications.
What Are the Benefits of Emergency Children’s Dentistry?
When accidents happen, prompt care is essential to protect your child’s smile. At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, our emergency children’s dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA is made to provide the right care at the right time. With Dr. Kong and Dr. Kim, your child benefits from:
Fast relief from pain and discomfort
Protection against further injury to teeth or gums
Careful evaluation of dental trauma to reduce long-term risks
Saving and preserving injured or knocked-out teeth whenever possible
Clear instructions for managing dental injuries at home
Lower chances of infection with immediate treatment
Early identification of hidden dental problems
What Are Some Types of Children’s Dental Emergencies?
Dental emergencies can appear in many forms, and quick action is often the best way to protect your child’s smile. Some common situations include:
Knocked-out tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it should be re-implanted within 30 minutes if possible. Hold the tooth by the crown, never the root, and gently place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, store the tooth in milk or saliva until you reach Dr. Kong or Dr. Kim. Baby teeth are not re-implanted, but an exam is still important to check for further trauma.
Chipped or fractured tooth
Even small chips can lead to infection if untreated. If you can, save the broken piece in milk or saliva and bring it to the office. Often, the tooth can be bonded and restored.
Jaw injury
Severe jaw injuries should be treated at the ER first. Once stable, schedule a follow-up with Dr. Kong or Dr. Kim to check for damage to the teeth or bite alignment.
Cuts or bites to the tongue, lip, or cheek
Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding, then use a cold compress or even a popsicle to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain relief such as Tylenol® or Motrin® may also help.
Toothache
Toothache causes can include cavities, food stuck between teeth, or new teeth erupting. Rinse the mouth with warm salt water and apply a cold compress for swelling. Persistent or severe pain requires professional care to prevent abscesses.
Is My Child’s Dental Problem An Emergency?
Not every dental issue requires urgent care, but it’s always better to be cautious. Problems like a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, heavy bleeding, or trauma to the gums, lips, or jaw need immediate attention. Even minor injuries should be evaluated quickly, since untreated damage can turn into more serious issues later. Dr. Jeni Kong and Dr. Milee Kim can guide you on the best next steps.
How Is A Pediatric Dental Emergency Treated?
Treatment depends on the type of injury. Dr. Kong or Dr. Kim will first examine the affected area and may use digital x-rays to identify hidden problems. After diagnosis, they will create a customized treatment plan. Some cases can be resolved in one visit, while others may need multiple appointments to fully restore comfort and oral health.
How Long Is Recovery From A Child’s Dental Emergency?
Recovery time varies depending on the injury and treatment. Pain relief may include antibiotics or over-the-counter medications. For children in sports, a custom mouthguard may be recommended to prevent future injuries. Regular checkups and good oral hygiene are important to ensure proper healing. Dr. Kong and Dr. Kim will track your child’s progress during follow-up visits.
Does Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?
Many insurance plans cover dental emergencies in children, especially those related to trauma or infection. Our team will review your child’s coverage, explain any out-of-pocket costs, and discuss flexible financing options if needed.
Get Emergency Dental Care For Your Child
If your child experiences pain, bleeding, or dental trauma, contact Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry right away. Dr. Jeni Kong and Dr. Milee Kim are dedicated to providing urgent care to relieve discomfort and protect your child’s long-term oral health. Acting quickly can make all the difference in saving a tooth and preventing complications.
Emergency Children’s Dentistry FAQ
Many people – children, adolescents, and adults alike – wouldn’t consider a toothache a dental emergency. However, if your child has dental pain that is keeping them up at night, doesn’t seem to go away, or is severely painful, we suggest you contact Apple Tree Pediatric Dentisty. This could be a sign of an infection, which, if left untreated, could impact other areas of the mouth and body.
If your child has experienced any sort of traumatic injury to the face or head such as a dislocation, wounds that won’t stop bleeding, a broken jaw, or loss of consciousness, you should visit an emergency room with your child instead of calling our Lawrenceville, GA office. Once appropriate medical care has been received, you can schedule a follow-up with the emergency dentist for any dental treatment that they require.
If your child is experiencing severe tooth pain or swelling, use dental floss to dislodge any interlopers and then put a cold compress outside of their mouth. If they lost or broke a tooth, collect the pieces or whole tooth and rinse them in warm water. Don’t touch the root of the tooth while rinsing it. Place the tooth in a container of milk. If their teeth or gums are bleeding, apply pressure with clean, dry gauze until the bleeding stops.
In the event of a dental emergency, parents should remain calm and assess the situation. For a knocked-out tooth, gently rinse it and try reinserting it, holding it in place. For pain or swelling, use a cold compress and provide over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Contact our team at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry immediately.
While not all emergencies can be prevented, using mouthguards during sports activities, promoting good oral hygiene, and avoiding chewing on hard objects can reduce the risk of dental injuries. Regular dental check-ups with our staff in Lawrenceville, GA can also help identify potential issues early.
It is crucial for a child to see a dentist as soon as possible after a dental emergency. Immediate care helps address pain, prevent complications, and ensure the best possible outcome for the child’s oral health and well-being.