Emergency Care
When your child needs us, we’re here.
Dental emergencies are stressful. When your child is in pain or has experienced a dental injury, the last thing you need is to wonder where to turn.
Whether it is a late-night toothache or a playground injury, call us right away. We will do everything we can to see your child the same day. We reserve time in our schedule specifically for urgent situations because we know that when your child is hurting, waiting is not an option. Same-day pediatric emergency appointments are available whenever possible.
For after-hours emergencies, call our main office line and follow the prompts to reach our on-call team. We prioritize emergency visits for both existing patients and families new to our practice.
Dental Emergencies We Treat
If you are unsure whether your child’s situation is an emergency, call us anyway. We would rather help you figure it out than have you wait and wonder. We provide prompt care for:
- Toothaches and tooth pain
- Knocked-out teeth (permanent or baby)
- Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Loose or displaced teeth
- Soft tissue injuries to the lips, tongue, or cheeks
- Facial swelling or signs of infection
- Lost or broken fillings or crowns
What to Do Before You Reach Us
Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference.
- Knocked-out permanent tooth: Find the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. Do not scrub it. Place it in milk or your child’s saliva and call us immediately. Time matters.
- Knocked-out baby tooth: Do not try to reinsert it, as this can damage the permanent tooth underneath. Call us right away so we can check for fragments.
- Broken or chipped tooth: Save any broken pieces. Rinse the mouth gently with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek if there is swelling.
- Toothache: Rinse with warm salt water and check for food trapped between teeth. Give an age-appropriate dose of over-the-counter pain relief. Do not place aspirin directly on the gums.
- Swelling or signs of infection: Swelling around the jaw, face, or neck, especially if accompanied by fever, can indicate a serious infection. Call us immediately. If swelling affects your child’s ability to breathe or swallow, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to Expect When You Call
When you reach our team, we will ask a few quick questions to understand the situation and get your child seen as soon as possible. For after-hours calls, follow the prompts to reach our on-call team. We will guide you on how quickly to come in based on the situation. Please bring any broken tooth pieces or dental appliances with you.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Not every accident is preventable, but a few simple habits can reduce your child’s risk:
- Wear a properly fitted mouthguard during contact sports.
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or non-food objects.
- Keep up with regular exams to catch weakened teeth early.
- Childproof your home for toddlers and young children.
Your Calm in the Storm
We know how frightening dental emergencies can be. At Treetop, we provide a calm, no-judgment environment designed to help your child feel safe while we take care of them. Every brave patient, especially our emergency ones, gets to visit the toy wall when it is all over. Because getting through something hard deserves recognition.
