Emergency Pediatric Dentist in Plaza Midwood, NC
- Most major insurance accepted
- NC Medicaid provider
- In-house dental savings plan
- All major credit cards
Signs Your Child Has a Dental Emergency
Not every toothache requires an emergency visit, but some situations need immediate attention. Contact our office right away if your child is experiencing any of the following.
For a broken jaw or severe blow to the head, go directly to the emergency room. For all other dental emergencies during business hours, call us first.
Bitten Lip or Tongue
A bitten lip or tongue is one of the most common dental injuries in young children — and one of the most alarming for parents because the mouth bleeds heavily even from minor wounds. In most cases it looks worse than it is, but knowing how to respond quickly will help you stay calm and protect your child.
What to do right now:
- Clean the area gently with cool water and a soft cloth
- Apply a cold compress — a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area — to reduce swelling and slow bleeding
- Apply gentle, steady pressure with clean gauze or cloth for 10–15 minutes without lifting to check
- If bleeding has not slowed after 15 minutes of pressure, or the bite is deep, go to the emergency room
Call our office so we can help you assess the severity and determine whether your child needs to be seen. Minor bites typically heal on their own within a few days, but deep lacerations may require stitches. Do not use aspirin or give it to children to manage pain — children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen taken orally is appropriate.
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Gentle, comprehensive dental care for children with flexible payment options for growing families.
Object Caught In Teeth
A foreign object wedged between teeth can cause significant discomfort and, if left in place, can irritate the gum tissue or damage enamel. This is more common in young children who put objects in their mouths, but it also happens with food like popcorn kernels or hard candy fragments.
What to do right now:
- Try gently working the object free using dental floss — angle it carefully and use a gentle sawing motion rather than forcing it down
- Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp implement such as a toothpick, pin, or knife to dig at the object — this risks cutting the gum or chipping the tooth
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to help dislodge any debris
- If you cannot remove the object with floss after one or two careful attempts, stop and call us
Forcing a stuck object can cause more damage than the object itself. Call our office and we will get your child seen promptly — this is a quick, simple procedure in our hands.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth
A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth is one of the most common childhood dental emergencies — and one where acting quickly makes a real difference. Depending on how much of the tooth broke off and how close the fracture is to the nerve, your child may need anything from a simple bonding repair to a crown or more involved treatment. The sooner we see them, the more options we have.
What to do right now:
- Have your child rinse his or her mouth gently with warm water to clean the area
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek or lip to reduce swelling
- Search carefully for any tooth fragment that broke off — place it in a small container with milk or saliva (not water) and bring it with you
- If the tooth has a sharp edge that is cutting the tongue or cheek, cover it with a small piece of sugarless gum or dental wax if available
- Call us immediately so we can assess the break and book same-day care
Do not try to glue the fragment back yourself. Depending on the fracture depth, the nerve may be exposed — which is why prompt professional care matters. In many cases we can repair a chipped tooth in a single visit with tooth-colored bonding that blends seamlessly with the remaining tooth structure.
Knocked Out Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is the most time-sensitive dental emergency there is. Studies show that a tooth re-implanted within 30 minutes has the highest chance of surviving long-term. Do not panic — act fast and call us immediately while following these steps.
What to do right now:
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown — the white part you can see in the mouth — never touch the root
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently under cool running water for no more than 10 seconds — do not scrub, soap, or dry it
- If your child is old enough and calm enough, try to gently reinsert the tooth back into the socket and have them bite down on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place while you drive to our office
- If reinsertion is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of cold milk — this preserves the root cells far better than water or a dry container
- Get to our office or the nearest emergency room immediately — do not wait
Baby teeth: Do not attempt to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth — doing so can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call us and we will advise you on next steps and schedule an exam to check for any additional injuries to the gum or jaw.
Loose Tooth
A very loose tooth after an injury — particularly a permanent tooth — is a true dental emergency that needs same-day attention. Unlike a naturally wiggling baby tooth, a tooth loosened by trauma may have a damaged root, disrupted blood supply, or underlying bone injury that is not visible on the surface.
What to do right now:
- Do not wiggle or try to remove the tooth yourself, even if it feels like it might fall out
- Have your child avoid biting down on that side and eat only soft foods until they can be seen
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to manage swelling and discomfort
- Call us and we will get your child in the same day — a loose permanent tooth can often be stabilized with a splint if treated promptly
If the tooth is a baby tooth and poses a risk of being swallowed or inhaled due to how loose it is, call our office and we will advise whether removal and an exam are needed to check the underlying adult tooth development.
Toothache
Toothaches in children are almost never just “growing pains.” Persistent or severe tooth pain usually means something is happening below the surface — a cavity reaching the nerve, an abscess forming, or trauma that was not immediately obvious. Do not wait it out. If the pain lasts more than a day or is getting worse, call us.
What to do right now:
- Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to clean the area and help dislodge any food caught near the tooth
- Gently floss around the sore tooth to remove anything that may be wedged in the gum line
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek — cold reduces inflammation and discomfort
- Give children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen orally per the packaging dosage for age and weight
- Do not apply heat, aspirin, or any topical numbing gel directly to the gum or tooth — these can damage the soft tissue
If you notice swelling on the face or jaw, a bump or pimple on the gum near the sore tooth, or if your child has a fever alongside the tooth pain, call us immediately. These are signs of a dental abscess — a bacterial infection that requires prompt treatment and will not resolve on its own.
Broken Jaw
A suspected broken jaw is a medical emergency, not just a dental one. The jaw connects directly to the skull, and a fracture severe enough to displace the jaw can indicate significant head trauma. Do not attempt to open or close the mouth and do not give anything by mouth. Go to the emergency room immediately.
What to do right now:
- Immobilize the jaw as best you can — you can tie a cloth or bandage gently around the head and under the chin to keep the jaw from moving during transport
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the jaw to reduce swelling
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room — do not wait and do not drive yourself if there is any concern about a head injury
- Once your child has been medically cleared, contact our office so we can coordinate follow-up dental care and assess any damage to the teeth or surrounding structures
Signs of a broken jaw include severe pain when opening or closing the mouth, teeth that no longer align properly, swelling or bruising along the jaw line, numbness in the chin or lower lip, and difficulty swallowing. If your child shows any of these after a fall or impact to the face, treat it as an emergency.
Avoiding Injury
What Happens When You Call Us
When a dental emergency strikes, you do not need to figure it out alone. Here is what to expect when you contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry during business hours.
Emergency Dental Care Costs and Coverage
The cost of emergency dental treatment varies depending on your child's individual needs and the treatment required. At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we discuss all costs and payment options with you before treatment begins — no surprises.
We work with virtually every insurance plan and both NC and SC Medicaid, so most families will have coverage for emergency care. Our office staff handles insurance paperwork on your behalf and confirms your benefits before treatment starts.
For more information, visit our financial information page or call any of our offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?
What should I do if my child chips or breaks a tooth?
Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and try to locate and save any tooth fragments that broke off. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek to help reduce swelling. Call our office as soon as possible so we can assess the damage and determine the right course of treatment. Bringing the fragment with you to the appointment may help with repair options.
How do I handle my child's toothache at home before I can reach the dentist?
Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and inspect their teeth to check for anything caught between them. A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek can help ease discomfort. Children’s pain relievers may be taken orally according to the packaging instructions. Do not apply heat or any topical pain reliever directly to the gum or affected area, as this can cause damage. Schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible.
When should I call your emergency line versus going directly to the hospital?
Does All Kids Pediatric Dentistry accept insurance for emergency dental care?
All Pediatric Services
Our Convenient Locations
Our Convenient Locations
We Can’t Wait To Meet You
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
