A dental emergency can cause significant pain and stress, and our team at Astro Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. We offer same-day emergency appointments to provide prompt relief for families in Fairfield and the surrounding communities. If your child experiences a dental emergency outside of office hours, please call us for guidance.
At Astro Pediatric Dentistry, we never spare any effort to ensure your child is as comfortable as possible at every step. You can always count on us to be here for you when you need us most.
SERVICES
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that requires prompt attention to relieve pain, treat an infection, or save a damaged tooth. The following are some of the most common dental emergencies we treat:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- A tooth that has been pushed sideways, forward, or back into the gum
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Swelling of the gums or face
- A broken tooth with sharp edges or an exposed nerve
- Trauma to the mouth, jaw, or face
- Significant soft tissue injury
Note: If your child experiences a severe injury or a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately.
What Should You Do If Your Child Experiences a Dental Emergency?
Give us a call right away if your child experiences a dental emergency. Meanwhile, the following are some things you can do to stabilize their condition:
Severe Toothache: Have your child rinse gently with warm water and floss around the area to dislodge any trapped food or object that may be causing the pain. Pediatrician-approved over-the-counter pain relief medication and cold compresses can help ease your child's discomfort. Pain can be a sign of infection or deep decay, so make sure to seek emergency care.
Knocked-Out Tooth: If your child knocks out a baby tooth, we typically don't reimplant it to avoid damaging the incoming adult tooth. However, it's important to seek care to prevent complications. If, however, your child knocks out a permanent tooth, time is of the essence. Pick up the tooth by its crown without touching the roots, and try to return it to its socket. If that's not possible, place it in some milk and bring it to your child's appointment. Time is everything with a knocked-out tooth. The sooner we see your child, the better the chances of saving it.
Dislodged Tooth: If a tooth is pushed out of its place, have your child bite down gently on gauze or clean cloth to keep it in place. We will recommend the most conservative treatment options based on the extent of the damage and whether it is a baby tooth or a permanent one.
Facial Swelling: Facial swelling is often a sign of a tooth infection and can pose a risk to your child's health, so it's important to seek prompt care. Meanwhile, use cold compresses to ease the swelling or discomfort. If, however, the swelling is severe, head to your nearest emergency room for immediate care.
Chipped or Broken Tooth: Rinse the area with warm water and apply cold compresses to ease any swelling or discomfort. Locate any broken pieces of the tooth, if any, and bring them with you to your child's emergency appointment.
Lost Filling or Crown: This type of emergency can typically wait for a next-day appointment. Give us a call, and we'll get your child taken care of as soon as possible. Remember: never use super glue to hold a crown or filling in place.
Bleeding from the Mouth: Place gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. If, however, the bleeding is severe and uncontrolled, head to the nearest ER for immediate care.
What Happens at an Emergency Appointment?
Our first goal when we see your child is to relieve any pain or discomfort. Then we assess what happened, take any necessary X-rays, and explain what we see and the options.
Depending on the situation, treatment may include:
- Pulp therapy (pulpotomy or pulpectomy) to address nerve involvement
- Emergency extraction when a tooth cannot be saved
- Repositioning and splinting a displaced tooth
- Repair of soft tissue injuries
- Temporary or permanent restoration
Our goal is always to relieve pain, safeguard your child's oral health, and save a permanent tooth whenever possible.
Ready to Schedule Your Child's Emergency Appointment?
New patients are always welcome at Astro Pediatric Dentistry. If you've been searching for "emergency dental care near me in Fairfield, NJ," we invite you to request an appointment online or call us at (973) 567-7774. We look forward to caring for your child's smile.