Emergency Help
Pediatric Dental Emergencies
If your child or teen needs emergency care right now, please call the office now.
We’ve included information about how to handle some common pediatric dental emergencies until your child can be seen by the doctor.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in its socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk. Primary or baby teeth are not generally replaced into the socket, however prompt care by the pediatric dentist is recommended.
Broken Tooth
Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Immediate dental attention is necessary.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to the hospital emergency room.
Toothache
Clean the area of the affected tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge impacted food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on aching tooth. If face is swollen, apply cold compresses. Take your child to a pediatric dentist!
Broken Braces and Wires
If a broken appliance can be removed EASILY take it out, if it cannot, cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze or soft chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gum, cheek or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the your child to a pediatric dentist or orthodontist immediately. Asymptomatic loose or broken appliances do not usually require emergency attention.
Orthodontic Emergency Help
There are very few true orthodontic emergencies. Most problems can be remedied at home. However, if you have a situation that you cannot resolve on your own, feel free to call us and we will be happy to evaluate whether there is something you can do at home to accommodate your need or if we need to schedule an appointment to be see in our office.
Asheville
(828) 274-8822
Sylva
(828) 586-9333
Waynesville
(828) 407-4034
Reynolds Mountain
(828) 785-5826
The information below can help resolve minor problems you may encounter during your orthodontic treatment.
What to do in case of Emergency?
If you break or loosen any of your appliances, please call our office so we can create a time to see you.
Loose Brackets or Bands
If you have a bracket or band loose, please call our office.
Wire Irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost Separators
If you have separators in, they can occasionally come out. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you may experience some soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
Call Our Office
If you’re not sure if you have an emergency situation, call one of our offices now and we will help you.