Managing Dental Emergencies When They Happen to Children in Florida and Maryland

Dental emergencies can be scary for adults. When children are involved, however, these issues can be downright terrifying. Knowing what to do when a pediatric dental emergency occurs can help you respond more effectively to these issues. At Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, our team of pediatric dentists can respond quickly to your needs and can provide the right solutions for your needs. Our dentists have the experience and the knowledge you need to resolve dental emergencies quickly and effectively.

What Is a Dental Emergency? 

Not all dental issues constitute emergencies. In some cases, you can treat your child's dental problem at home and schedule a visit with us later. Some of the most common types of dental emergencies, however, are listed here:

1. Injuries that break or knock out a tooth
2. Severe toothaches
3. Lost fillings or crowns
4. Broken or damaged orthodontic braces
5. Abscesses and infections of the gums
6. Cavities or tooth decay, especially when pain is present

If your child has any of these symptoms, call our team at Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics to let us know you are on your way. We offer same-day appointments and can often accommodate walk-in patients with emergency dental situations.

What Causes Dental Emergencies in Children? 

Your child may need emergency dental help for a variety of reasons, including injuries while playing sports, auto accidents, dental decay, grinding of the teeth, and early-stage gum disease. If you are in doubt about whether the situation constitutes an emergency, you can always call Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics at to check in with our team. We can provide you with an accurate assessment of the situation and can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind when dealing with problems involving your child's teeth.

Avoiding Pediatric Dental Emergencies in Florida and Maryland

You can avoid many pediatric dental issues by taking a few precautionary steps. Some of the most important ways in which you can reduce the risk of dental emergencies in Florida and Maryland are listed here:

1. Schedule regular checkups: As your child grows, their teeth require regular attention to ensure that there are no cavities, areas of tooth decay or other emerging problems that could affect the health of their teeth and gums. At Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, we work with children and their parents to make sure that teeth stay strong and healthy throughout every developmental stage. We can also deal with cavities to protect the strength of the tooth and prevent further damage to your child’s teeth and smile.
2. Wear mouthguards when engaging in active sports: Dental mouthguards are a valuable tool in protecting teeth and gums from injuries that can be caused by collisions between players on the field or impacts with other objects.
3. Teach your child what to do: When dental emergencies occur, it is important for your child to have a clear idea of what to do. This is especially true if your child is involved in contact or team sports. For instance, if a tooth is knocked out or broken, it is important to collect the tooth or tooth fragments to bring to the dentist's office. In some cases, it may be possible to restore the tooth with prompt dental attention.
4. Don't bite or chew non-food items: Chewing on hard materials can often put stress on your teeth that can lead to breaking or damage. Be sure your child knows about the risks of chewing on these materials.

Of course, not all pediatric dental emergencies can be prevented. Knowing what to do when emergencies do occur can help you and your family manage these situations more effectively. By having a plan in place and building a relationship with the dentists at Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, you can respond more effectively to dental emergencies in Florida and Maryland.

What Should You Do in a Dental Emergency? 

When your child is experiencing dental pain or has sustained an injury to the teeth or gums, you may be unsure about what to do first. Some of the most important points to keep in mind include the following:

1. Stay calm. Panicking can even make things worse and set a poor example for your child.
2. Assess the situation. If your child has a broken tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or is bleeding from the mouth, you will need to determine the extent of the damage and, if applicable, to decide whether to call our dentists or to pay a visit to the emergency room. In general, heavy bleeding or head injuries should always be treated at a hospital. A knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth or a broken tooth, however, can be treated by our pediatric dentistry team.
3. Make your child as comfortable as possible. If you need to go to the emergency room or to the dentist's office by car, make sure someone can observe the child and provide comfort and support on the way there. This can reduce the stress your child feels on the way to treatment. If an ambulance takes the child to the hospital, having a parent there can sometimes reduce the child's fears about their health.
4. Collect and save broken pieces of tooth or entire teeth that have been knocked out. These can sometimes be used to reconstruct damaged teeth or to reseat teeth that have been dislodged from their proper space at your dentist's office.

If you need help for a dental emergency involving your child in Florida and Maryland, the team at Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics can help with practical solutions that will resolve your problems quickly. Give us a call today at to let us know you are on your way or to schedule a same-day appointment with our team. We are here to help when emergencies arise.