Dental emergencies are stressful any time of year, but during the holidays, they can feel especially overwhelming. If your child chips a tooth, knocks one out, or damages braces while you’re out of town, knowing what to do can make a big difference.
At Woodhill Dental Specialties, we understand that dental emergencies do not always wait for regular office hours. Here’s how to handle common holiday dental issues until you can see a dentist, and when to seek professional help right away.
A dental emergency is any situation that causes pain, bleeding, or damage to the teeth, gums, or mouth.
Examples include:
If you are traveling, it helps to look up local emergency dentists or orthodontists before you go. If you cannot find one nearby, call Woodhill Dental Specialties. We can schedule a visit as soon as you return to the Dallas or Rockwall, TX area, so we can make sure your child’s smile gets the care it needs.
Children are especially prone to bumps and accidents during the holidays. Here’s what you can do while arranging care.
A cavity, an injury, or gum irritation can cause a toothache.
You can:
If your child’s tooth pain keeps coming back, it could be a sign of tooth sensitivity or decay. Learn more about what causes discomfort in our guide to sensitive teeth and pain relief.
Avoid applying aspirin or any medication directly to the tooth or gums.
If your child chips or breaks a tooth, gently rinse their mouth with warm water.
Cover sharp edges with dental wax, which you can find at most pharmacies. This helps protect their lips and cheeks until a dentist can see them.
Call us once you return home so we can examine and repair the tooth. If a baby tooth cannot be repaired, your dentist may place a spacer to hold room for the permanent tooth.
Some chipped or cracked teeth can also affect how your child’s smile looks as they grow. Our cosmetic dentistry team can help restore the tooth’s appearance and function if repair is needed later.
If a tooth is completely knocked out:
A dentist can evaluate whether the tooth can be repositioned or whether another solution, such as a spacer or replacement, will be needed.
If your child is in orthodontic treatment, knocked-out teeth or damaged brackets can affect progress. Contact our office for guidance, and we can determine what adjustments might be needed to keep their treatment on track.
If your child’s mouth or gums are bleeding:
If bleeding continues for 10 to 15 minutes or the injury appears deep, go to an urgent care center or emergency room.
If gums bleed due to irritation or early gingivitis, encourage soft brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a warm saltwater rinse.
Braces and aligners can sometimes need quick fixes during travel.
For a deeper look at what to do when a bracket comes loose, read our tips on how soon a broken bracket should be fixed.
If your child uses clear aligners, our aligner guide can help you understand what to do if a tray cracks or goes missing while you’re away.
When you return home, call Woodhill Dental Specialties so we can repair or replace your child’s braces or aligners and keep their orthodontic care on schedule.
Go to an emergency room or urgent care center if your child experiences:
For everything else, contact your dental office as soon as possible.
Do not try to replace a baby tooth in the socket. The permanent tooth underneath needs time and space to grow correctly. Instead, rinse your child’s mouth gently and contact us for the next steps.
Use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp or poking parts of the wire. If a piece comes completely loose, remove it carefully and store it until you can see us. You can learn more about handling this in our post on broken brackets and braces care.
If there’s swelling, bleeding, or discomfort, remove the aligners and call us before reinserting them. Once your child’s mouth feels comfortable, we can help decide if new trays are needed.
Head to an emergency room right away if your child has uncontrolled bleeding, severe swelling, or any sign of head or jaw trauma. For non-urgent injuries, contact Woodhill Dental Specialties as soon as possible for next steps.
If your child has a dental emergency during the holidays, contact Woodhill Dental Specialties. We can guide you through the next steps and help you schedule an appointment as soon as you return.
Our team is here to help your family stay healthy, comfortable, and smiling through the holidays.
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