Dr. Johnny Johnson and Associates, Pediatric Dentists

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are best handled under the guidance of a trained pediatric dentist. It is best to establish a dental home with a local pediatric dentist before an emergency occurs, so that in an urgent situation your child can be seen expeditiously and the dentist is familiar with your child’s medical history. This also ensures that your child will be treated in an environment that they are comfortable and familiar with, which is invaluable when children are under stress.

	Severe Blow to the Head:
	Call 911 for emergency transportation to the nearest hospital.
	Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw:
	Keep the jaw from moving and take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
	Knocked Out Tooth:
	Please call your pediatric dentist immediately for advice as sometimes there is confusion about whether it is a baby or permanent tooth. If it is in fact a permanent tooth, quick action can save the tooth if it can be reinserted correctly. Locate the tooth and place it in cold milk, avoiding excessive handling. The dentist may be able to walk you through the steps of reinserting the tooth over the phone and you can then meet your dentist at his or her office. Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth!
	Chipped or Fractured Tooth:
	Please call your pediatric dentist immediately for advice. If possible, locate the chipped portion of the tooth. There are different treatments for baby and permanent teeth so it will be important to describe the chip to the dentist. Often times baby teeth can be examined in the office the next day; however permanent teeth may be chipped so severely that they need immediate treatment. Again, timing is critical so contact your dentist immediately.
	Toothache:
	Thoroughly brush and floss the painful tooth to remove any food that may be lodged in a cavity. Check for any signs of a bump on the gum or swelling either inside the mouth or outside on the face. If there is any sign of swelling please call your pediatric dentist immediately, otherwise administer Tylenol or Ibuprofen and call the office during normal business hours to schedule an exam.
	Tongue, Lip, or Cheek Bites:
	If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure with a gauze or cloth. Apply ice to injured areas to help control swelling. Keep area clean to prevent secondary infection. Use Tylenol or Ibuprofen to control pain. Contact your pediatric dentist for advice and to see if a follow up visit to the office is needed.
	Cut or Lacerated Tongue, Lip or Cheek:
	Control bleeding by applying firm pressure with gauze or cloth. Once bleeding is controlled, apply ice to injured area to help minimize swelling. Contact your pediatrician or pediatric dentist for guidance in seeking emergency care as there may be a need to clean dirty wounds or place sutures.

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Dr. Johnny Johnson & Associates Pediatric Dentistry serves Palm Harbor and the surrounding Tampa Bay area, including including Tarpon Springs, New Port Richey, Holiday, North Pinellas, Tampa, Oldsmar, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Ozona, Odessa, Port Richey, Hudson, New Tampa, Trinity, Hillsborough, East Lake