Even with the best preventive care, dental emergencies happen. At Honeymint, we're here to help you stay calm and act fast — because when it comes to your child's smile, every minute counts.

Contact Us Right Away If Your Child Has:

• A knocked-out tooth

• A chipped or broken tooth

• A cut or bite to the tongue, lip, or cheek that may need stitches

• A toothache with facial swelling

• Our priority is always to save the tooth, prevent infection, and restore your child's smile as quickly and gently as possible.

What to Do If a Baby Tooth Gets Knocked Out

A knocked-out baby tooth is less urgent than a permanent one, but we still recommend coming in for an exam. Here's what to do in the meantime:

Comfort your child and gently apply pressure with a clean gauze pad to control any bleeding. Locate the tooth to make sure it wasn't swallowed or pushed back into the gum. Do not try to reinsert a baby tooth — this can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Give us a call and we'll get you in for an exam and X-rays as soon as possible. In some cases, a space maintainer may be needed to keep surrounding teeth in place while the permanent tooth comes in. If a front tooth was lost, we can create a temporary bridge called a pedo-partial for cosmetic purposes.

What to Do If a Permanent Tooth Gets Knocked Out

This one is time-sensitive — for the best outcome, your child should be seen within one hour. Here's what to do:

Call us immediately. After hours, our voicemail will provide an emergency contact number. Take a photo of the area to help us assess the injury. Find the tooth and gently place it back into the socket if possible, pressing down until it's level with the surrounding teeth. Have your child bite down on gauze to keep it stable. If reinsertion isn't possible, place the tooth in a bag with milk to keep it moist. Consider keeping a Save-a-Tooth kit at home — especially if your child plays sports.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

Rinse your child's mouth with warm water and use gauze to control any bleeding. Apply ice to reduce swelling and contact us for an exam and X-rays. If your child lost consciousness, felt nauseous, or vomited after the injury, head to the nearest emergency room first and follow up with us right after.

Dental fractures are classified by severity: Class 1 affects the outer enamel layer. Class 2 reaches the dentin. Class 3 extends to the pulp. Class 4 involves the root. Treatment depends on the class of fracture and whether the tooth is a baby or permanent tooth.

Cuts or Bites to the Tongue, Cheek, or Lip

Gently clean the area with warm water and apply a cold compress. If bleeding is uncontrollable, call 911. For manageable bleeding, come see us or visit an emergency room to determine if stitches are needed. We'll also check for any embedded tooth fragments.

Toothache With Facial Swelling

A toothache can have many causes — cavities, trauma, infection, or even something stuck between teeth. Facial swelling alongside a toothache may indicate an abscess, which needs prompt attention before it spreads. Don't wait — call us right away and we'll get your child seen as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

A few simple habits can go a long way in keeping little smiles safe:

Come see us every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. Start a daily oral care routine early — from the very first tooth. Ask us about a custom mouthguard for sports and recreational activities. Keep an eye on young children around trip hazards and stairs. Avoid letting little ones run with objects in their mouths.