Great Whites
DENTISTRY
Great Whites
DENTISTRY
BECAUSE
DENTAL
THINGS
HAPPEN!
We expect the unexpected. While your first reaction may be to race to our office, it’s best to call first. This will allow us to give you proper guidance and instructions while we prepare for your specific situation. The best thing you can do for your child is remain calm and instill that sense of calm in your child.
Should your emergency be braces or appliance related, follow the same procedure and give us a call first, even if you have a scheduled appointment.
Below are some tips on common dental and orthodontic emergencies:
Knocked-out
adult tooth
• Keep the tooth moist
• If possible, place the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If not
possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product.
• Call your dentist right away
Knocked-out
baby tooth
• Do NOT put back in socket
• Find and save the tooth if possible to show the dentist
• Call your dentist
Broken or
Injured tooth
• If the tooth is loose, moved out of position, or there is bleeding from the gum or tooth, call your dentist right away
• If none of the above apply, schedule an appointment with your dentist for follow up soon
Abscess or facial swelling
• Call your dentist if you have an abscess (pimple on gum) or facial swelling
• If you have any trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room
Lost filling or crown
• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area
• Put cold compresses on the face
Chipped, cracked or
broken tooth
• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area
• Put cold compresses on the face
Common
Toothaches
• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area
• Gently use floss to remove any food caught between the teeth
• Do no put aspirin on the tooth or gums
• Take Motrin as needed for pain, follow manufactures’ instructions
Bleeding after tooth
extraction
• Place gauze and bite down
• Do not use straws
• Warm tea bag
Broken orthodontics
• Avoid sticky, chewy, crunchy foods
• Place wax in the area where wire or bracket is poking
• If it falls out or is loose call your dentist
Broken space maintainers
• Avoid sticky, chewy, crunchy foods
• Place wax in the area where wire or bracket is poking
• If it falls out or is loose call your dentist
Tongue or
lip bite
• Clean the area gently with warm water and put cold compresses on the face
Avoiding Dental Injuries
• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
• Avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy
• Do not use your teeth to open or cut things, do not chew on things that are not food
; Toys, nails, pens
BECAUSE
ORTHODONTIC
THINGS
HAPPEN!
We expect the unexpected. While your first reaction may be to race to our office, it’s best to call first. This will allow us to give you proper guidance and instructions while we prepare for your specific situation. The best thing you can do for your child is remain calm and instill that sense of calm in your child.
Should your emergency be braces or appliance related, follow the same procedure and give us a call first, even if you have a scheduled appointment.
Below are some tips on common dental and orthodontic emergencies:
COMING SOON!!!
In the meantime, if you have any questions or need immediate assistance, please call us:
(631) 261-5100
Tooth
Ache
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth using warm salt water. Rinse the mouth to displace any food trapped between teeth. DO NOT use aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum. For temporary pain relief, acetaminophen is recommended. If your child’s face begins to swell, apply a cold compress to the area. Please contact us for an appointment if the pain persists more than a day.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Ice can be applied to any bruised areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after fifteen minutes, please visit an emergency room.
Broken
Tooth
Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury. Recover any broken tooth fragments and call our office immediately.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Carry the tooth in a cup containing milk or water. Because time is essential, call our office immediately. (Note: Baby teeth should never be reinserted in the mouth.)
Possible
Broken Jaw
In the event of jaw injury, tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief. Go immediately to an emergency room.
Bleeding After A Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold a piece of gauze and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze for fifteen minutes. If bleeding continues, call our office.
Cold or Canker Sores
Over-the-counter medications will usually provide temporary relief. If sores persist, give us a call.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
Wire
Irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Broken Braces
and Wires
Remove a broken appliance only if it comes out easily. If it is lodged or painful to remove, cover any protruding edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. DO NOT REMOVE any wire caught in the gums, cheek or tongue. Contact our office immediately. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that cause no discomfort.
Lost
Separators
Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Ortho Treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, some pain, soreness or discomfort is normal. You may give your child acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while he or she adjusts to new braces. A warm washcloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in the jaw.
SPECIAL LOVE
FOR SPECIAL
NEEDS
New experiences are daunting for every child – especially children who process experiences differently than others. We understand children with special needs may have additional difficulties and exhibit extreme reactions to changes, or unusual sensitivities to particular sounds, sights or textures.
Our doctors and staff are highly skilled and experienced in working with special needs children. We look forward to helping you and your child through this new experience both in the office and with suggestions you may find useful at home.
AT
GREAT WHITES
WE MAKE DENTAL
CARE FUN!
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“My three children have been coming to Great Whites for eight years and we have had such a great experience. The staff at Great Whites is fantastic. We would never go to any other dental practice. Our family highly recommends Great Whites.” - Darleen F.
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“My three children have been patients at Great Whites for several years. Everyone is skilled and knowledgeable as well as kind, patient and always ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I can’t say enough about the entire staff from the dentists to the reception staff, all are a pleasure to deal with.” - Jayne B.
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"Love Great Whites! I’ve been going here for 10+ years and I’ve never had a bad experience! The staff is amazing, and the hygienists are always so nice and generate good conversations! I would definitely recommend this dentist to anyone in need of dental care!" - Shannon M.
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"My 5 year old recently had a cleaning and a baby tooth extraction and everyone involved in each appointment was so great. They really know how to talk to kids and keep them calm and explain what they are doing and why in a way the kids can understand. What a relief to leave the dentist office with a smiling child!" - Sarah S.
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"Always a helpful and warm experience at Great Whites! Everyone is so friendly and takes the time explain things to kids and adults." - Tracy G.
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"My son needed dental work at a very young age and was traumatized by another dentist. No dentist we took him to was willing to work on him without anesthesia. After going to seven pediatric dentists, Dr. Dawn was able to do all the work without putting him under. He was completely at ease with her. It was such a relief… as a mom, I couldn’t have asked for more. She is by far the BEST!!" - Raquel M.
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“Your entire staff is wonderful. They are friendly and are great with children no matter the age. We have been coming here for years and it is always a pleasure as it is a kid friendly environment.” - Cristal C.
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"Staff is wonderful. My boys have been coming here for years and they love everyone. They are always made comfortable and the rooms are very inviting. We have had nothing but positive experiences here!" - Renee W.
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"Absolutely love Great Whites! Staff are always professional, kind, patient and 100% kid friendly. Always a positive experience!" - Dani P.
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"We love Great Whites!! The dental assistants, hygienists and dentists are absolutely top notch- so kind and gentle with kids, and so thorough and knowledgeable. The office staff are always so friendly and helpful too." - Jenny K.
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"We have never had a negative experience at Great Whites. My kids have been going there since they were 2 years old, and now they are 10 and 12. My younger one has some pretty significant sensory issues. They worked so patiently with her, making sure she had the same technician each time. Some early appointments she let them brush one tooth and that was enough! Now she doesn’t even need me in there with her. They are the best!" - Sara T.
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"Everyone in the office is so nice and helpful! We have been coming to Great Whites for almost 13 years!! We love them!" - Connie T.
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"Everyone is always friendly and welcoming. Going to the dentist is fun, always!" - Nicole M.
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"Our family loves Great Whites Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics for so many reasons. The children love coming because the waiting room and staff are so welcoming! We parents trust Dr. Dawn and staff to make sound judgments and recommendations. She’s sweet and kind, knowledgeable, professional and trustworthy. The office is clean and modern yet the vibrant colors create a fun setting for the children, so much so that they actually love going to the dentist! We love that we can trust our dentist and orthodontist to do what is best for our family. As a mother, I feel as though my children are receiving the most current dental care available, while my children really enjoy the experience of being patients of Great Whites! The office staff is super friendly, kind and welcoming. We feel at home and well taken care of at Great Whites! Keep up the great work!" - The B. Family