Pediatric Dental Services
At Hometown Children's Dentistry, we understand how painful and stressful dental emergencies can be. We are pleased to offer same-day appointments to provide your child with emergency dental care for prompt relief. You can count on our child-centered team for state-of-the-art care with a compassionate touch.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
It is not always easy to determine whether your child requires emergency dental care. In general, a dental emergency is a situation involving trauma, severe tooth pain, infection, a knocked-out or injured tooth, facial swelling, or injury to the soft tissues, including the tongue, gums, and lips. It is important to note that a dental emergency may not seem as serious as it is, so make sure to get your child checked to avoid complications.
What Should You Do If Your Child Experiences a Dental Emergency?
If your child experiences a dental emergency, contact Hometown Children's Dentistry at (215) 716-8830 to schedule a same-day emergency appointment. We will advise you on the immediate steps to take and prepare for your arrival. If the emergency occurs outside our regular office hours, contact our office for guidance. We will provide your child with the needed care as soon as possible.
Note: If your child experiences uncontrollable bleeding, a significant injury, or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance or seek care at your nearest hospital emergency room.
Common Dental Emergencies
We have created the table below to help you navigate common dental emergencies and what actions to take. It is important to note that the following are general guidelines - seek professional care to address your child’s specific situation.
| Emergency Situation | What To Do | Seek Immediate Care? |
|---|---|---|
| Knocked-out adult tooth | If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, hold it by the crown, rinse it carefully without touching the root, and gently reinsert it in its socket. If that’s not possible, keep it moist in milk or saliva and bring it to your child’s emergency appointment. This is a time-sensitive emergency. Seeking immediate care will increase the chances of saving the tooth. | Yes - don’t wait |
| Knocked-out baby tooth | We do not recommend replanting knocked-out baby teeth to avoid infection or damage to the developing permanent teeth. However, it is important to have your child evaluated as soon as possible. | Next available appointment |
| Dislodged tooth | If a tooth is dislodged or pushed out of its place due to injury or trauma, bite down on gauze to keep it in place. We will determine the best treatment options depending on the extent of damage and whether the affected tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent one. | Yes |
| Severe toothache | Have your child rinse with warm water and floss gently to dislodge any trapped food or debris. Never place aspirin on the aching tooth. | Yes - for prompt relief |
| Facial swelling | Facial swelling usually results from a tooth infection, which can pose a serious risk to your child’s health. Use cold compresses to relieve any swelling or discomfort and call us immediately for emergency care. If the swelling is severe, head to your nearest emergency room. | Yes - don’t wait |
| Abscessed or infected tooth | An abscess is an infection in and around a tooth’s roots. If not treated, the infection can spread to the surrounding teeth, causing pain and complications. | Yes - don’t wait |
| Chipped or broken tooth | Rinse with warm water to clean the area. Locate any broken pieces of the tooth, place them in some milk, and bring them with you to your child’s emergency appointment. | Depending on the extent of damage - contact us for guidance |
| Lost dental crown or filling | This type of dental emergency can typically wait until the next day. Contact us to schedule the next available appointment. | Next available appointment |
| Bleeding from the mouth | Place pressure to stop the bleeding. If, however, the bleeding is severe and cannot be controlled, head to the nearest emergency room for immediate care. | Yes - if severe |
| Injury to the head, jaw, or neck | If your child experiences an injury to the head, jaw, or neck, or has severe swelling, don’t wait. Head to the nearest emergency room for immediate care. | Yes - don’t wait |
Why a Pediatric Dentist Is Best for Children
Choosing a pediatric dentist to care for your child's smile offers numerous advantages, including the following:
- Pediatric dentists undergo two years of training after dental school to better care for the unique needs of children.
- They have extensive knowledge of a child’s oral growth and development from infancy through adolescence.
- Pediatric dentists have special training in addressing anxiety, medically compromised patients, and patients with special needs.
- Pediatric dentistry practices offer smaller, child-friendly equipment.
- Pediatric dentists have training and experience in child psychology to support positive behavior and reduce anxiety.
- They have knowledge about nutrition and preventive care to avoid dental disease in children.
Our team brings a wealth of experience, skill, and expertise to children in Ivyland and the surrounding communities. We are dedicated to ensuring our young patients are cared for at the highest level and helping them develop positive associations with future dental care.
Here are some ways we ensure our young patients feel right at home:
- Our child-centered team is committed to creating a warm and comfortable office environment where your child feels safe and valued.
- We welcome you to accompany your child to the treatment room during most procedures.
- We use a cutting-edge intraosseous dental anesthesia delivery system to numb the area quickly with minimal discomfort, reducing fear and anxiety associated with dental visits.
- We offer sedation dentistry options to help even our most anxious patients feel calm and relaxed while receiving the best possible care.
- We take the time to hear you and your child, answer your questions, and address your concerns.
Why Choose Hometown Children's Dentistry?
Emergency Dental Care in Ivyland, PA
At Hometown Children's Dentistry, we understand how stressful dental emergencies can be. Keep our number on hand - (215) 716-8830 - and contact us immediately if your child requires emergency dental care. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring our young patients receive the cutting-edge, compassionate care they deserve.