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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Emergency Dental Care for Children in Boston
A child’s knocked tooth or sudden toothache can be frightening. Boston parents can learn first steps and when to call our Port Dover office or hospital.
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Caring for Boston, Ontario patients at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for Boston patientsWhen a child’s mouth is hurt
Stay calm, check your child over, then call for dental advice.
Children are active, and falls from bikes, playground equipment, trampolines or sports are a common cause of dental injuries. Toothaches and swelling from decay can also flare suddenly, often at inconvenient moments. Your calm reaction helps your child settle, and a few simple steps can protect the tooth while you get advice.
If your family lives in Boston and your child has a dental emergency without signs of a serious head injury, call our Port Dover office. Explain what happened, your child’s age and whether a baby or adult tooth is involved, so the team can advise how quickly to come in.
First response
Look after your child first, then the tooth.
Comfort and check
Comfort your child and check for injuries beyond the mouth. Signs of a head injury, such as confusion, unusual drowsiness, vomiting or a severe headache, need emergency medical attention before anything dental. If the jaw looks misaligned or your child cannot open or close their mouth properly, go to the hospital as well rather than the dental office.
Control bleeding and swelling
Have your child rinse gently with water if they are able to, and press clean gauze or a cloth on any bleeding area for several minutes. A cold compress wrapped in a cloth on the outside of the face can ease swelling. Note what happened and when, since this information helps the dentist decide on treatment.
Common emergencies
The right step depends on the injury and the tooth.
Knocked-out or broken teeth
If an adult tooth is knocked out, find it, hold it by the crown and keep it moist in milk; contact a dentist immediately. Do not try to put a baby tooth back in its socket, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. For a broken tooth, save any pieces in milk and avoid letting your child chew on that side.
Toothache and swelling
A sudden toothache may be due to decay, a trapped piece of food or an infection. Gently floss to remove anything caught between teeth. Children’s pain relief may help if suitable for your child’s age and weight; follow the package directions. Swelling of the gum or face should be checked promptly by a dentist, the same day if possible.
At the office
Children’s injuries are assessed with growth in mind.
What the dentist checks
The dentist will examine the injured area, check neighbouring teeth and may take x-rays to look at roots and developing adult teeth. They will consider your child’s age, which teeth are affected and how the injury happened. Bring any tooth pieces and tell the team about any medications your child has taken since the injury or pain began.
Treatment for young teeth
Treatment for baby teeth often focuses on comfort and protecting the adult tooth beneath, while adult teeth may be repositioned, splinted or repaired. Some cases need follow-up treatment or referral. The dentist will explain the plan in terms your child can understand and give you clear instructions for home care, including what to feed them and when to call back.
Afterward
Injured teeth often need checking again later.
Watching for later changes
An injured tooth may change colour, become loose or develop an abscess weeks or months after the event. Follow-up visits help catch these changes. Contact the office if you notice swelling, a pimple on the gum, increasing pain or a tooth turning grey, rather than waiting for the next routine appointment to mention it to the team.
Reducing future risk
Mouthguards for sports, supervision on trampolines and playground equipment, and car seats or seat belts used correctly can help reduce dental injuries. Regular checkups and good brushing habits also reduce toothaches from decay. Teaching children what to do if a tooth is knocked out can be helpful as they grow older and spend more time at practices and games.
Planning your appointment
Calling from Boston about a child’s emergency
Phone our Port Dover office as soon as possible after a dental injury or sudden pain. Tell the team your child’s age, what happened and which teeth are affected, so they can advise on urgency.
Bring any tooth fragments or a knocked-out tooth stored in milk, and a list of any medications your child has taken.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Children’s emergency questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing beneath it. Keep your child comfortable, control any bleeding and contact the dentist for advice on next steps and whether an examination is needed.
What if an adult tooth is knocked out?
Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is clean, you may try to place it back gently; otherwise keep it in milk. Contact a dentist immediately, because the chance of saving it is better with prompt care.
When should I go to the hospital instead?
Go to the emergency department for head injuries with drowsiness, confusion or vomiting, uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly spreading swelling or any difficulty breathing or swallowing. Dental care can follow once your child is medically safe and settled.
My child’s tooth turned grey after a fall. Is that serious?
A grey tooth may mean the nerve has been affected. It does not always need treatment, but it should be assessed. Contact the office so the dentist can examine it and advise on monitoring or care.
Can I give my child pain medicine?
Children’s pain relief may help when appropriate for your child’s age and weight. Follow the package directions carefully and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. Never place a tablet directly on the gum or tooth.
Injury care for young patients
Children’s Dentistry →Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment →
A knocked-out adult tooth needs fast, careful handling. Boston patients can learn how to hold it, store it and reach our Port Dover office quickly.
Dental Trauma Treatment →
A fall, sports hit or farm accident can injure teeth and gums. Boston patients can learn what to do first and how our Port Dover team checks damage.