Pediatric Emergency
Urgent Dental Care
What to Do When Your Child Needs Urgent Dental Care
Dental emergencies can be stressful — especially when they involve a child. At Big Sky Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help you understand what’s urgent, what can wait, and when to seek immediate care.
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, contact our office as soon as possible. Our team will guide you through next steps and help determine the best course of care.
Emergency Line
(406) 752-8302
First Visit
When in doubt, it’s always better to call — we’re happy to help you decide what to do next.
Dental Emergency
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A pediatric dental emergency may include:
- Dental pain that won’t go away
- A broken, chipped, or knocked-out tooth
- Swelling of the face, gums, or jaw
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Injury to the mouth, lips, tongue, or gums
First Visit
Dental Emergencies
Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies & What to Do
Toothache
- Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water
- Do not place aspirin or heat on the tooth or gums
- Call our office if pain persists
- Use dental floss to remove trapped food
- Apply a cold compress if swelling is present
Chipped or Broken Tooth (Permanent Tooth)
- Rinse the mouth with water
- Save any broken tooth fragments if possible
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Contact our office immediately
Prompt care can help save the tooth and reduce the need for extensive treatment.
Chipped or Broken Baby Tooth
- Contact our office as soon as possible
- In many cases, treatment may not be urgent, but evaluation is important
Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
- This is not usually an emergency
- Do not attempt to reinsert the tooth
- Call our office during business hours for guidance
Permanent Tooth
Knocked- OutPermanent Tooth
This is a true dental emergency — time matters.
If possible:
- Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (not the root)
- Rinse gently with water only — do not scrub
- Try to place the tooth back in the socket if your child can tolerate it
- If not, store the tooth in milk or your child’s saliva
- Call our office immediately
Cut or Bitten Lip, Tongue, or Cheek
- Apply ice to reduce swelling
- Use gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth to stop bleeding
- If bleeding does not stop, seek medical care
Facial Swelling or Possible Infection
- Facial swelling can indicate infection
- Contact our office immediately
- If swelling affects breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care
Severe Head Injury or Suspected Jaw Fracture
- Go to the nearest emergency room immediately
- Dental care can follow after medical evaluation
Crowns
Emergency Room
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Go directly to the ER if your child has:
- A severe head injury
- Monitor changes in bite and spacing
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Suspected broken jaw
- High fever with facial swelling
Dental concerns can be addressed after medical safety is ensured.
Emergency Dental Care
Our Approach to Emergency Dental Care
When you contact Big Sky Pediatric Dentistry for an emergency, we:
- Listen carefully to your concerns
- Provide immediate guidance by phone
- Schedule urgent care when appropriate
- Focus on relieving pain and protecting your child’s health
Our team is trained to treat children calmly and gently — even in stressful situations.
Emergency
Emergencies
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While not all emergencies can be avoided, these steps can reduce risk:
- Schedule regular dental checkups
- Use mouthguards for sports
- Address cavities early
- Monitor habits like teeth grinding or chewing on hard objects
Preventive care plays a key role in avoiding urgent dental issues.
Care Begins
Need Help Now?
If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait.
info@bigskypediatricdentistry.com
E-mail address
(406) 752-8302
Call Us Phone
We serve families in Kalispell, Whitefish, Polson, & Libby, MT.