Follow the instructions below when a child has a dental emergency. In all situations, reassure the child. If any blood is involved, it is recommended that you wear gloves. Do not administer any pain relievers until the child's parent is consulted.

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BLEEDING AFTER LOSING A BABY TOOTH

Place a clean folded gauze pad, cloth or paper towel over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This procedure may be repeated. Make sure the child refrains from frequent rinsing. If bleeding persists, SEE A DENTIST!

BROKEN BRACES AND WIRES

Broken wires can be covered with wax or gauze until the child can be seen by an orthodontist. DO NOT remove wire embedded in the cheek, tongue or gums. THE CHILD SHOULD SEE THEIR dentist IMMEDIATELY!

CUT OR BITTEN TONGUE, LIP OR CHEEK

Clean area with a clean, wet cloth. Apply pressure with cloth to stop the bleeding. Apply ice to the swollen or bruised areas. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, or with pressure, the child should be seen by a dentist or doctor.

BROKEN TOOTH

Gently clean dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress on the face over the injured area. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments if possible. SEE A DENTIST IMMEDIATELY!

KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH

In the event that a tooth is knocked out, saving that tooth depends entirely on what is done within the next 30 to 60 minutes.
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by its crown, not the root! Gently replace the tooth in it's socket and hold the tooth in place. A tooth that is quickly reimplanted has a good chance of being saved! If the tooth cannot be reinserted into the socket, put the tooth in a cup of fresh milk or coconut water or wrap the tooth in a soaked gauze. It's critical not to let the tooth dry out.. Do not put the tooth into tap water. SEE A DENTIST IMMEDIATELY! Reimplantation within 30 minutes has the best rate of success

POSSIBLE BROKEN JAW

The child's jaw line may appear distorted. SEE A DENTIST IMMEDIATELY! Keep the child still and calm. Make sure the child can breathe. Try to keep the child from moving.

TOOTHACHE OR ABSCESS

Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm salt water to remove any food debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the site of the toothache because it may cause burning to the gum tissue. If the face is swollen, place a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. Encourage the parent to take the child to the dentist AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

LOST CAP OR FILLING

Find the cap and do not place it in the mouth. Tell the child not to chew on that side of his or her mouth. Take the child to the dentist as soon as possible to have the cap put back or replace.