If your child experiences a dental emergency, please contact our office immediately at (416) 532-8760. For severe emergencies or those occurring after hours, please proceed to the SickKids Emergency Department. If you are uncertain about the severity of the situation, contact us via phone or email at [email protected], and an on-call team member will provide guidance.
Below is a general list of common dental injuries:
Fractured/Chipped Teeth When a tooth is chipped or fractured due to an injury, a dentist must evaluate the depth of the fracture and whether the nerve has been exposed. If possible, locate and bring any broken tooth fragments to the appointment.
Color Changes in Teeth (Dark or Yellow) Teeth may turn grey or yellow following an injury. Any trauma to a tooth increases the likelihood of future infection. Monitor for signs of swelling, pain, or excessive mobility, and seek dental evaluation if these symptoms occur.
Maxillary Frenum Tear Falls can sometimes damage the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums, resulting in bleeding. These injuries often occur when the upper lip is scraped.
Avulsion (Knocked-Out Tooth) If a baby tooth is knocked out, it should not be replanted. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, store it in milk or the patient’s saliva and contact the dentist immediately for replanting.
Luxation (Displacement of Teeth) Teeth may become displaced to a more forward or backward position and can become loose. This type of injury may affect your child’s ability to bite and chew properly.
Intrusion (Tooth Pushed Inward) An inwardly pushed tooth can damage the permanent tooth bud located near the root of the baby tooth.
Extrusion (Tooth Pulled Outward) An outwardly pulled tooth may become loose. These injuries require prompt dental attention.
Facial Swelling Facial swelling accompanied by fever related to an infected tooth necessitates immediate dental consultation, as tooth infections can spread and cause serious complications. If the swelling impacts your child’s ability to see or breathe, proceed to the SickKids Emergency Department immediately.
We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful for both the patient and the parent and we are here to help!