Pediatric Dental Emergency Preparedness

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, our team is ready to help. Call us at 512-282-4271 right away to schedule an emergency dental appointment in South Austin. We will fit you into the schedule as quickly as possible and will accommodate our patients dental emergencies during non-business hours if needed.

Here are some helpful answers to some recent patient questions.

Q: What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in milk or saliva. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap, use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to our office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A: Contact Smiles by Design immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you visit us.

Dr. Flury will recommend an appropriate dental procedure such as a dental filling, crown or root canal depending on the condition of the tooth. A minor chip or broken tooth may be restored with a tooth-colored filling. If the dental exam and x-ray indicates a serious tooth fracture, a root canal may be necessary. Click here to view our services.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A: Go immediately to the emergency room of the closest hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

A: Call us promptly at 512-282-4271 to schedule a dental appointment. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Q: How can I best prevent a dental injury from happening to my child in the first place?

A: Oral injuries can occur from a variety of activities.

• Many oral injuries occur during physical activity such as sports. You can greatly reduce the chance of oral injury by having your child wear a mouth guard. Contact us to learn more about custom mouth guards, which often provide better protection than store-bought mouth guards. Click here to view our Preventative Care page.
• Always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone in the car.
• Child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects.
• Help prevent your child from dental-health related toothaches with regular visits to Smiles by Design.

If your child plays sports, contact Dr. Flury to learn about a custom mouth guard to protect your child's teeth. Contact Smiles by Design at 512-282-4271 with questions about preventative dental care and dental emergencies in South Austin!