At Smile Zone Pediatric Dentistry, we do not set aside "emergency time" on a daily basis. If your child has a dental emergency, please immediately contact our office at (405) 692-1222 and we will see them as soon as possible. When our office is not open, the on call dental assistant can be reached by pager (that phone number will be available on our office answering machine). Dr. Molloy will then return your call to help you with your child’s dental emergency.

We can help if your child has a toothache or facial swelling

 

or bleeding from the mouth.

We are available 24/7 for children in accidents.

We fix broken teeth. We suture wounds to the face and lips. We prescribe antibiotics for toothaches. We know what to do for your toddler who fell and hit his mouth on the bathtub. Unfortunately, we do not provide emergency care for adults.

Occasionally treating an emergency will cause us to run slightly late with our regularly scheduled patients. When this occurs, we apologize, request your understanding, and will do our best to keep you informed.

The following information should help with caring for some common dental emergencies.

ToothAche
Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm saltwater to dislodge trapped food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If face is swollen, apply a cold compress. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and see a dentist as soon as possible.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to a hospital emergency room.

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 chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the child to a dentist immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child do not usually require emergency attention.

Broken Tooth
Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Immediate dental attention is necessary.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert the tooth in its socket. Hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or water. See a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.


Other Emergency Conditions:

Possible Broken Jaw

If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaws from moving by using a towel, tie or handkerchief. Take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out

Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze for 15 minutes. This may be repeated once; if bleeding persists, see a dentist.

Cold / Canker Sores

Many children occasionally suffer from cold or canker sores. Usually over-the-counter preparations give some relief. Because some serious diseases may begin as sores, it is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist.