Emergency Dentistry in Rio Rancho

If your child experiences any of the following, please call 911 or visit the emergency room right away:

• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe facial swelling causing dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision
• Heavy, uncontrollable bleeding
• Signs of a possible broken jaw, such as numbness or extreme swelling

For less severe dental emergencies, we’ve outlined some tips below to help you handle the situation before visiting our office.

Knocked-Out Tooth (Dental Avulsion)

Baby Tooth: If your child loses a baby tooth, call our office immediately. Rinse their mouth gently with water and use a cold compress to minimize swelling. Do not attempt to place the tooth back in the socket, as this might harm the permanent tooth developing underneath. Focus on comforting your child rather than worrying about the tooth.

Permanent Tooth: If an adult tooth is knocked out, act quickly and call our office (or the emergency number on our voicemail after hours). Time is critical—seeing a dentist within one hour increases the chances of saving the tooth.

• Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (not the root). Gently rinse with cool water but don’t scrub or use soap.
• Place the tooth back into the socket if possible and have your child bite down on clean gauze to hold it in place.
• If you can’t reinsert the tooth, keep it moist in a clean container with cold milk or saliva. Older children can also hold the tooth in the pouch of their cheek. Avoid storing it in water.

Chipped or Fractured Tooth

If your child chips or fractures a tooth, contact us right away. Rinse their mouth gently and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you find the broken piece of the tooth, store it in milk or saliva and bring it to the appointment.

Toothaches

Toothaches can have many causes, such as trapped food, cavities, infections, or erupting teeth. Check the area by brushing and flossing to remove any debris. Look for swelling, redness, or signs of infection.

• If swelling is present, call our office immediately. Severe swelling that causes trouble breathing, dizziness, or blurred vision requires an emergency room visit.
• For pain relief, you can give over-the-counter medication like Children’s Tylenol or Motrin as directed. Avoid giving aspirin to young children.

Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Accidents like falls, sports injuries, or chewing on numb areas after dental work can cause biting injuries. If bleeding occurs:

• Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a cloth until the bleeding stops.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• For pain, offer over-the-counter medication like Children’s Tylenol or Motrin (no aspirin for young children). Most of these injuries heal within a few days, but if you’re concerned, call us to schedule a visit. Dr. Tasker will assess the injury and recommend any necessary treatment.