Emergencies
If your child is currently experiencing a dental emergency
please call our office immediately at 813-264-6000
Unsure whether your child is experiencing a dental emergency or if you would like to know more about dental emergencies
Feel free to use the following information provided:
Knocked Out Teeth
If your child’s tooth has been knocked out of the mouth entirely, first find the tooth and rinse it with water (without soap). Be sure to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when the tooth is properly positioned in the mouth). If you can, try to place 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 with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or go to the hospital. Though primary (baby) teeth are generally not re-implanted, it is possible to save a permanent (adult) tooth if immediate action is taken. If one of your child’s primary teeth has been knocked out, you will want to schedule a visit to our practice as soon as possible so that Dr. Ruelf can ensure there are no fragments of tooth remaining.
Toothaches
If your child complains of a toothache, rinse their mouth with warm water and inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. During this inspection, also check for the presence of swelling. You may use a cold compress and/or pain relievers to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, since this can cause damage to the gums. Schedule an appointment with our office immediately.
Broken Jaw
If you know or suspect your child has suffered a broken jaw, use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Call us and/or go to the hospital immediately. In many cases, a broken jaw is the result of a greater injury to the head. These types of injuries can be dangerous, and potentially, life-threatening. Immediate action is therefore necessary.
