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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Emergency Dental Care for Children in Selkirk
A child’s toothache, knocked tooth or facial swelling can be frightening. Selkirk parents can learn what to do first and when to call our Port Dover office.
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Serving patients from Selkirk at our Port Dover office
See every service for Selkirk patientsStaying calm when it matters
A clear first step helps a child in pain.
Children’s dental emergencies include toothaches, swelling, teeth knocked out or pushed out of place in falls, chipped teeth and injuries to the lips or gums. Knowing whether the tooth is a baby tooth or an adult tooth affects what to do, and a parent’s calm response helps the child stay calmer too.
Being a short drive from town does not change the first step for Selkirk families: rule out any medical emergency, then phone our Port Dover office to explain what happened. The team can advise what to do at home, what to bring and how soon your child should be seen.
First response
Look at the whole child, not just the teeth.
Check for serious injuries
After a fall or knock, check for head injury, confusion, drowsiness, vomiting or neck pain, and look for heavy bleeding or breathing difficulty. These need emergency medical attention. Once those are ruled out, look inside the mouth, gently rinse with water and identify which teeth are hurt. Keep any tooth pieces you find.
Comfort and simple care
Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to bleeding gums or lips. A cold compress on the outside of the face may reduce swelling. Offer reassurance and keep your child still and comfortable. If giving pain relief, use a children’s product according to the label and your child’s age and weight, or as advised by a pharmacist.
Baby or adult tooth?
The right action depends on which tooth is involved.
Knocked-out baby teeth
A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in the socket, as this can harm the adult tooth developing underneath. Control bleeding, keep the tooth if you like, and call the dental office for advice. The child should still be examined to check for other injuries to the mouth and nearby teeth.
Knocked-out adult teeth
A knocked-out adult tooth is time-sensitive. Hold it by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse briefly with milk or water without scrubbing. If your child is old enough and calm, the tooth may be gently replaced in the socket, or stored in milk. Call the office immediately for guidance.
Other emergencies
Pain and swelling need timely attention.
Toothache in children
A toothache may be caused by decay, a cracked tooth, food trapped between teeth or a new tooth coming in. Gently floss around the tooth and rinse with warm water. Do not place aspirin on the gum. If pain persists, keeps your child awake at night or comes with fever, contact the office promptly.
Swelling and infection
Swelling of the gum or face may indicate infection. Mild swelling should be assessed promptly by a dentist. Rapidly increasing swelling, swelling near the eye, fever with lethargy, or difficulty swallowing or breathing requires emergency medical care right away. Do not wait for a dental appointment in those situations.
Afterward
Injured teeth often need checking over time.
Monitoring injured teeth
After a dental injury, a tooth may change colour, become loose or develop an abscess weeks or months later. Follow-up appointments let the dentist monitor the tooth and the developing adult teeth. Watch for darkening, swelling, a pimple on the gum or new pain and report these signs promptly.
Preventing future injuries
Consider a properly fitted mouthguard for contact sports and activities with a risk of falls. Supervise young children on stairs, playground equipment and trampolines. Childproofing furniture corners can help toddlers. Regular checkups and good daily brushing reduce the risk of toothaches caused by decay.
Planning your appointment
If your child has a dental emergency in Selkirk.
Once any medical emergency is ruled out, call our Port Dover office and explain what happened and which tooth is involved. The team will advise on timing based on your child’s symptoms and availability.
Bring any tooth or fragments, a list of your child’s medications and allergies, and note the time the injury occurred.
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 dental 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. Control any bleeding and call the dental office for advice. Your child should still be checked for other injuries.
What do I do with a knocked-out adult tooth?
Hold it by the crown, rinse briefly if dirty, and either gently replace it in the socket or store it in milk. Call the office immediately, as timing matters for the best chance of saving the tooth.
When is facial swelling an emergency?
Rapidly spreading swelling, swelling near the eye, fever with lethargy, or trouble swallowing or breathing needs emergency medical care right away. Milder swelling should still be assessed promptly by a dentist.
Can I give my child pain medicine for a toothache?
Use a children’s pain reliever according to the label and your child’s age and weight, or ask a pharmacist. Do not place aspirin on the gum. Contact the office if pain persists.
My child chipped a tooth but seems fine. Should we come in?
Yes, it is worth having it checked. Chips can hide deeper damage, and injured teeth sometimes change later. The dentist can examine the tooth and recommend follow-up if needed.
Related urgent care for kids
Children’s Dentistry →Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment →
A knocked-out adult tooth needs fast, careful handling. Selkirk patients can learn how to store the tooth and why to call our Port Dover office right away.
Dental Trauma Treatment →
A fall, collision or sports hit can loosen, push or break teeth. Selkirk residents can learn what to do first and how follow-up works in Port Dover.