Great Whites
DENTISTRY

Great Whites
DENTISTRY

DENTAL
EMERGENCIES

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ORTHODONTICS
EMERGENCIES

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SPECIAL NEEDS
PATIENTS

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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:

Helpful tips by Great Whites Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics NY

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 

Helpful hints on common pediatric dental and orthodontic emergencies by Great Whites Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

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.

Helpful hints and tips by Great Whites Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics team on Long Island, NY

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!