Children's dental emergencies in Renton
If your child has a dental emergency, call EverGrins at 425-255-6008. New and existing patients get prompt, caring help. After hours, the outgoing message gives the number for the doctor on call.
Medical emergency? If your child may have a serious injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Common dental emergencies
Little accidents can mean knocked-out or broken teeth. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. Call at the first sign something's wrong so we can get your child grinning again.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Find the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse it if dirty, but don't scrub or handle it more than needed. If it's intact, try to put it back in the socket right away and have your child bite on gauze to hold it. If you can't, carry it in a cup of cold milk or in your child's mouth. Time is critical. Call us right away.
Knocked-out baby tooth
Don't put it back in. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth underneath. Let your child save it for the tooth fairy and give them something cold, like a popsicle, to ease swelling and bleeding. Call for an exam to check the adult tooth below.
Toothache
Clean the area thoroughly. Rinse with warm salt water and use floss to remove any stuck food. Don't put aspirin on the gum or tooth. Give the pain reliever you'd normally use, such as Tylenol or Motrin, and call us. An ongoing toothache needs a visit.
Chipped or broken tooth
Save the tooth or any pieces, wrapped in wet gauze or a damp cloth, and call us. If the nerve isn't exposed, the tooth can usually be bonded back to look and work normally. If the nerve is exposed, it needs protection quickly to help keep the tooth healthy.
Cuts and bites to the lip, cheek or tongue
Clean the area gently with a clean washcloth and apply ice to any swelling. For bleeding, press firmly but gently with gauze or a damp cloth. If bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes of pressure, go to the emergency room. Call us to help decide how serious it is.
Swelling or abscess
Apply a cold compress and call us as soon as possible for an exam with Dr. Pham. Swelling is often caused by a bacterial infection, which needs prompt care.
Braces and appliance problems
True orthodontic emergencies are rare. Call us for severe pain or an appliance problem you can't fix at home. Many issues can be handled at home until your appointment, but always call afterward so we can repair it; a broken appliance left too long can slow treatment.
It helps to know the names of your child's appliance parts. See the appliance guide.
General soreness
Teeth may feel tender for three to five days after braces go on or are adjusted. Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water). Orabase from the pharmacy can soothe sore spots, and the pain reliever you normally use can help. Lips, cheeks and tongue may be irritated for a week or two; orthodontic wax on the braces helps.
Loose appliance
Cover the loose part with orthodontic wax and call us to schedule a repair.
Loose bracket or band
If it's still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax to keep it steady. Call us to fix it.
Loose wire
Use tweezers to gently guide the wire back into place, then add wax. If that doesn't work, clip the wire with a small, clean fingernail clipper behind the last tooth it's attached to, and wax the end.
Poking wire
Use a pencil eraser to push the wire down or back into place until it stops rubbing, then cover it with wax.
After-hours emergencies
Call the office
Dial 425-255-6008. The outgoing message gives the emergency number for the doctor on call.
Leave a message
Call the emergency number and leave your name, phone number and a short description of what happened.
Watch for a call back
The doctor will call you back as soon as possible.
Emergency questions
Still wondering about something? Call 425-255-6008 or email hello@evergrins.com.
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root. Rinse it gently if dirty, but don't scrub it. If you can, put it back in the socket right away and have your child bite on gauze to hold it. If not, carry it in a cup of cold milk or in your child's mouth, and call EverGrins immediately. Time is critical.
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. Putting a baby tooth back can damage the permanent tooth growing underneath. Give your child something cold, like a popsicle, to ease swelling and bleeding, and call for an exam to make sure the adult tooth wasn't injured.
What can I do for my child's toothache?
Clean the area well, rinse with warm salt water, and floss to remove any stuck food. Don't put aspirin on the gum or tooth. Give the pain reliever you normally use for your child, such as Tylenol or Motrin, and call to schedule a visit.
What if my child has a dental emergency after hours?
Call the office at 425-255-6008. The outgoing message gives the emergency number for the doctor on call. Leave your name, phone number and a short message, and the doctor will call you back as soon as possible. For a medical emergency, call 911.
What should I do about a poking braces wire?
Use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire down or back into place, then cover it with orthodontic wax. If a wire is loose and won't go back, you can clip it behind the last tooth it's attached to with a clean fingernail clipper and wax the end. Call EverGrins to schedule a repair.