Emergency Kids’ Dentistry – Canton, GA

How to Help Your Child Prevent Dental Emergencies

As a parent, seeing your child in pain can be heartbreaking. Although there’s no foolproof way to prevent dental emergencies entirely (as they’re often unexpected), there are a few things you can do to protect their smile from harm. Here are a few examples!

Making sure they brush twice a day and floss once a day

Child brushing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

If food particles and other debris are left alone on your child’s teeth, then it won’t take long for cavities to develop. That’s why it’s so important that they brush their teeth for a full two minutes each morning and evening. As soon as two teeth touch, they should start flossing as well! If you’re ever unsure which toothbrush they should be using, how much toothpaste is appropriate, or when to add a step like rinsing with mouthwash into their routine, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help.

Bringing them in for two checkups and cleanings per year

Child smiling while holding stuffed animal in treatment chair

Your child’s biannual dental checkups and teeth cleanings serve several important purposes. To begin, the periodic exams ensure that tooth decay and other dental damage is caught and treated before emergency care is needed. During the cleaning, we remove built-up plaque and clean the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth, which reduces their risk of cavities. We can also decide if further preventive care is needed at this time, like dental sealants or fluoride treatments.

Limiting their intake of sugary foods and beverages

Mother and child eating snack together in kitchen

This one can be difficult, but it’s crucial because sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. So, do your best to keep caramel candies, ice cream, soda, and other sweet treats like these to a minimum. Instead, offer your child foods that are naturally sweet, like apples, strawberries, and bananas. That way, essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals are included in their daily diet.

Giving them a mouthguard if they play sports

Child kicking soccer ball into net

Whether your child is on their school’s football team, they enjoy playing soccer with friends when they are done with their homework, or they prefer a solo sport, like skateboarding, it’s important that they wear a mouthguard. That way, they are much less likely to experience a dental emergency, like a knocked-out tooth, from a bad fall or an accidental elbow to the face.

Breaking bad habits

Mom and daughter smiling together

Over the years, your child may develop a habit or two that seems harmless but can actually take a serious toll on their oral health. Biting their nails, chewing on ice cubes, using their teeth to open things, and chewing on the back of their pencil are a few examples. The best thing to do is gently correct these behaviors when you notice them and offer an alternative, like chewing on some sugar-free gum or grabbing the scissors.

Understanding the Cost of Treating Pediatric Dental Emergencies

When a dental emergency strikes, it's natural to be concerned about your child’s health and the potential costs involved. Unfortunately, pediatric dental emergencies can vary greatly in complexity. This makes it difficult to give you an exact figure when it comes to the cost of care without seeing your child first. At Cherokee Children's Dentistry, we prioritize your child’s comfort and aim to provide effective, affordable dental work. Read more below to learn what you can expect when it comes to the cost of your child’s dental emergency treatment.

Every Pediatric Dental Emergency Is Different

Child patient in Canton holding cheek due to dental emergencies

The cost of treating pediatric dental emergencies can vary widely, as each situation is unique. Factors that influence the cost include:

  • The type of emergency (chipped tooth, knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, etc.)
  • The severity of the injury or dental issue
  • The complexity of the treatment required
  • The use of sedation or anesthesia for more complex procedures

It’s important to note that even if your child is only having an issue with their baby teeth, it’s still a big deal! Neglecting care for a baby tooth just because it will eventually fall out may lead to bigger, more costly dental issues in the future.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

Patient in Canton looking up dental insurance for dental emergencies

In many cases, dental insurance covers pediatric dental emergencies, but the extent of coverage depends on your specific plan. Emergency treatments are often considered necessary, so they are likely to be partially or even fully covered.

However, every insurance plan is different, and out-of-pocket costs may vary. If you’re unsure about your benefits, our team can guide you through the process and ensure you receive the maximum coverage for your child’s treatment.

Other Options for Making Pediatric Dental Emergencies Affordable

Patient in Canton budgeting for dental emergencies

Our team knows that not every family has access to dental insurance. That’s why we partner with financing providers like CareCredit, allowing you to break down the cost of your child’s treatment into manageable monthly payments. Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives the care they need, regardless of financial circumstances. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here to help you explore the best options for your family.

Prevention Is the Best Policy to Save You Money

Patient in Canton brushing teeth with child to prevent dental emergencies

Preventive care is the most effective way to avoid costly pediatric dental emergencies. Regular checkups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene habits can significantly reduce the risk of dental issues that might lead to bigger, more expensive emergencies.

Teaching your child good habits when it comes to brushing, flossing, and their diet can go a long way in protecting their smile. Encouraging good technique, consistency, and lowering sugar intake are three critical things you can do at home to keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy. Then you can schedule regular appointments with us to keep your child’s teeth strong, so you’ll be less likely to face unexpected dental expenses down the road!

Dental Emergency FAQs

Dental emergencies are unsettling and can happen when you least expect them to. If your child has sustained an accidental injury or is experiencing severe tooth pain, you may be unsure of what to do. At Cherokee Children’s Dentistry, we offer safe and effective services to get your little one’s oral health back on the right track. While the best way to get help is by calling our office, you can review our answers to some frequently asked questions below in the meantime.

Should I Take My Child to the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

It only makes sense that you’d want to take your child to the nearest emergency room when they’re experiencing a dental emergency in Canton. However, your local hospital is likely unable to effectively address those types of injuries, which is why you should take them to a pediatric dentist instead. The only time you should take your child to the ER for an oral accident is if they’re experiencing any of the following:

  • Swelling that’s affecting their breathing or ability to swallow
  • Fractured or broken jawbone
  • Serious cuts or lacerations to the face
  • Uncontrollable bleeding

Are Knocked-Out Baby Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Since baby teeth are meant to come out eventually, you may think that it’s no big deal when your child knocks one out. In reality, it’s a problem because baby teeth need to stay in for as long as possible. The first thing you should do is contact our office right away and schedule an emergency appointment. Do not try to reinsert the tooth into the empty socket! Our team needs to examine the situation and determine if any damage has occurred. If the bleeding cannot be controlled or you think your little one has damaged their jaw, you should take them directly to the emergency room.

What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?

Every parent understands the importance of being prepared. If you want to be ready for the unexpected, you should keep an emergency dentistry kit with you at all times that contains the following essentials:

  • Dental floss
  • Ice pack
  • A topical anesthetic (i.e., Orajel)
  • Ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory medication
  • Dental cement
  • Gauze pads and dressings
  • Cotton balls
  • Small storage container
  • Sterile gloves
  • Petroleum jelly

Does Emergency Dentistry Cost More?

Believe it or not, a visit to your emergency dentist in Canton is not as expensive as you may think. What can be costly is the treatments required to get your child’s oral health back on the right track. Of course, you should avoid putting off necessary care as it can lead to higher costs in the future. During your appointment, you can ask our team about your financing options and eligible payment plans. We’ll do everything possible to make your care affordable!

We’re Here When You and
Your Child Need Us

As scary as it can be for you when your child experiences a dental emergency, it can be particularly traumatizing for your little one. They might not understand the situation, which can make calming them down nearly impossible. Luckily, our gentle, compassionate dentists at Cherokee Children’s Dentistry are here to help. We offer same-day appointments for emergency patients as well as sedation dentistry to soothe your child’s nerves and make it easy to give them the care they need. If your son or daughter needs attention right away, please call us; we’ll do everything we can to see them later that same day to provide emergency kids' dentistry in Canton, GA.

Why Choose Cherokee Children's Dentistry for Emergency Kids’ Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental
    Appointments Available
  • Dental Sedation Offered
    to Help Children Relax
  • Board-Certified Pediatric
    Dentists on Staff

How to Handle
Common Dental Emergencies

The very first thing you should do in any emergency dental situation is call our dental office. We’ll schedule an appointment for them as soon as possible, where we’ll assess the extent of the damage and recommend a treatment plan. Until then, our team members can give you advice over the phone on handling the situation. Here are some helpful tips for managing common dental emergencies:

Is my child’s toothache an emergency? Fortunately, most toothaches are caused by minor issues that do not require immediate attention. However, there are certain situations where a toothache is an indication of a serious oral health issue. Call us immediately if your child is experiencing:

  • Intense pain that lasts for more than a day
  • Sharp pain when biting down
  • A small bump on the gums near the painful tooth
  • A loose, numb, or discolored tooth
  • Signs of infection, such as discharge around the teeth, swelling, fever, or fatigue

How you should handle your child’s toothache: First, gently clean around your child’s hurting tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss to remove any stuck food debris – a common cause of toothaches. If that doesn’t relieve the discomfort, have your child rinse with a thoroughly mixed saltwater solution (only if they’re old enough to spit it out).

Avoid topical pain relievers like Orajel, as they can actually worsen pain and cause further damage. Instead, give your little one a children’s over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol until their appointment.

How we treat toothaches in children: How we treat your little one’s toothache will depend entirely on what’s causing it. They may simply need a fluoride treatment or tooth-colored filling for thinning enamel or a cavity. They may need a dental crown. In severe situation, they may need pulp therapy or a tooth extraction.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings Fillings

Learn More About Pulp Therapy

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Cracked Tooth

Is my child’s cracked tooth an emergency? Cracked teeth are often scary and painful, and they need to be treated right away! Damaged enamel leaves the pulp of the tooth susceptible to painful infections. Remember, cracks in the teeth aren’t always easy to see! If your child recently bit down on something hard or took a blow to the face, and then begins to experience tooth sensitivity or discomfort, they may have hidden damage.

How you should handle your child’s cracked tooth: Have your child rinse their mouth out with water right away. If needed, you can apply a cold compress to their cheek to reduce any swelling, removing and reapplying in 10-minute intervals. You can also judiciously administer children’s pain relievers as directed on the packaging. Do not let your child bite down or chew food until the tooth has been treated, at least on that side of their mouth.

How we treat children’s cracked teeth: If a tooth is very minorly cracked, we may simply be able to fill in the damaged area with direct bonding, which is a tooth-colored composite resin. Teeth that have been irreparably damaged or cracked beneath the gumline will likely need to be extracted. However, the most common treatment for a cracked tooth is a custom-made dental crown.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Athletic Mouthguards

Chipped Tooth

Is my child’s chipped tooth an emergency? Chipped teeth are often less scary than a broken or cracked tooth, but they should still be treated right away. Remember, enamel can’t repair itself, so leaving a chipped tooth untreated will only allow the damage to get worse.

How you should handle your child’s chipped tooth: If your child chips a tooth, have them rinse their mouth out with warm water right away to make sure there are no leftover detached parts of the tooth in the mouth. After calling us to book an appointment, try to locate the broken piece of the tooth and bring it with you to our dental office. Try to keep your child from eating or chewing on anything with their damaged tooth until we can see them. If the chipped tooth has left behind a sharp edge that’s irritating their cheeks, lips, or tongue, you can cover it with sugarless gum or orthodontic wax.

How we treat children’s chipped teeth: Fortunately, chipped teeth can typically be treated very quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. If the chip is substantial, we may recommend protecting the tooth with a dental crown. However, in most cases, a chipped tooth can be fixed up with dental bonding.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Athletic Mouthguards

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Is a knocked-out permanent tooth an emergency? Yes! It’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. For the best chances of saving your child’s tooth, you need to get to our office within 30-60 minutes of the incident. Call our team right away for assistance and make sure you handle the tooth carefully to keep it intact.  

How you should handle a knocked-out permanent tooth: If your child's tooth has been knocked out of their mouth, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it's in place). If you can, put the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth. If you can't return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container of milk or saltwater. In either case, call us immediately and/or go to the hospital.

How we treat knocked-out permanent teeth: Our primary goal will always be to reattach the natural tooth if possible. If it’s still in good condition, we can gently place it back into the socket and secure it to neighboring teeth. Over the next few months, the tooth will slowly reintegrate into your child’s jawbone.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Is a knocked-out baby tooth an emergency? Everyone knows that baby teeth are meant to come out on their own. However, sometimes life gets in the way and your child may suddenly knock out a baby tooth due to an accident or injury. If that happens, we will want to see your little one for a quick appointment to ensure the surrounding teeth are ok.

How you should handle a knocked-out baby tooth: Ask your child to carefully rinse their mouth out with water and use a tissue to control any bleeding. If they’re in pain, you can hold an ice pack to the outside of their cheek for 10-minute intervals to ease discomfort. You can also provide over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.

How we treat knocked-out baby teeth: Our team will need to examine your child to determine if action needs to be taken once a baby tooth has been knocked out. Depending on the situation, we may not need to do anything or light repairs will need to be performed to the surrounding teeth. If the baby tooth was knocked out prematurely, a space maintainer could be used to ensure neighboring teeth don’t tilt into the gap, trapping the permanent tooth underneath.

Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Is a bitten tongue, lip, or cheek an emergency? Oral injuries can be quite alarming because they tend to be painful and bleed a lot. Fortunately, they hardly need professional care since they can usually be treated at home. If you can’t control bleeding after 10 minutes, take your child to your nearest emergency room.

How you should handle your child’s soft tissue injury: If your child has bitten their lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, clean their mouth gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the injury is.

How we treat soft tissue injuries in children: We’ll check your child’s mouth to ensure no damage has occurred to the teeth. In some cases, stitches will be used to close the wound. If the injury has occurred because of a sports incident, this may be the perfect time to have your child fitted for a custom-made athletic sports guard.

Dental Concussion

Is My Child's Dental Concussion an Emergency? If you’re not sure what it is, a dental concussion is when your kid’s tooth is shoved out of place without being knocked out yet. This is often due to sustaining an injury when they’re adventurous or participating in close-contact sports or activities. It may not be urgent unless they’re experiencing pain, but it’s best to let us know so we can schedule an appointment sooner rather than later.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Dental Concussion: Rinse their mouth carefully to avoid causing unpleasant sensations and to keep unwanted dirt, germs, or particles at bay. Then, do your best to avoid touching it (and ask your little one to do the same) until your appointment. If they’re hurting, it’s usually safe to give them over-the-counter medication or apply a cold compress.

How We Treat Dental Concussions in Children: Our team will take digital X-rays and other images as needed to determine the best path forward. If it’s a minor issue, there’s a chance it may rectify itself in time or with a minor intervention, like wearing a splint. In more severe instances, your child might need a root canal, orthodontics, or an extraction and replacement if their tooth is too damaged to be saved.

Learn More About Root Canals/Pulp Therapy

Learn More About Early Interceptive Orthodontics

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Sensitive Teeth

Are My Child's Sensitive Teeth an Emergency? Usually, tooth sensitivity in children is caused by cavities, which can lead to more serious issues if left unaddressed. However, it can also be due to worn fillings, bruxism, an infection, or other damage. It’s important to call us right away to identify the issue.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Sensitive Teeth: Our team will provide pertinent care instructions over the phone to help you ease your child’s discomfort. You might also find it helpful to find a desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash for them to use. Help them avoid eating any sweet or spicy foods that might exacerbate the unpleasant sensation.

How We Treat Sensitive Teeth in Children: Your kid’s treatment will depend on the cause of their sensitivity. We can provide the necessary solutions to address possible causes, including fluoride treatment, dental sealants, fillings, or a root canal.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments and Dental Sealants

Learn More About Fillings

Learn More About Root Canals/Pulp Therapy

Lost Filling or Crown

Is My Child's Lost Filling or Crown an Emergency? Although dental restorations like fillings and crowns are incredibly durable, they usually don’t last forever. However, you should call us right away if your child loses one because, without it, their tooth is vulnerable to infection, injury, or decay.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Lost Filling or Crown: Try to locate their restoration if possible. Be aware that it may still be in their mouths, so be careful that they don’t swallow it. Then, have them avoid overly acidic, sweet, or spicy foods that can cause discomfort.

If they’re in pain, you can apply a small amount of sugarless gum or dental wax to cover the troublesome tooth. Also, it’s usually safe to give them a normal dose of over-the-counter medications if needed.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns in Children: If the restoration is relatively recent and in good shape, we may be able to cement it back in place. If not, we’ll provide a replacement crown or filling to preserve their tooth’s functionality.  

Learn More About Filling

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between My Child's Teeth an Emergency? This problem might not require immediate attention, but if you’re struggling to safely remove whatever is lodged between their teeth, please give us a call.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between Your Child's Teeth: You can encourage your child to rinse water around their mouth to try to dislodge the object. If that doesn’t work, you can try flossing, too. However, don’t try to pry it free with a toothpick, utensil, or other household item because doing so could injure their teeth or gums and result in an emergency.

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