Pediatric Emergency Dentist in Roseville, CA

A fall off the monkey bars, a ball to the face, or a toothache that wakes your child at night can leave you asking two questions fast: is this an emergency, and who do you call? Most dental injuries in kids are scary in the moment and very fixable. A few need care quickly.

This guide covers how to tell what counts as a dental emergency, what to do before you get to us, and what happens once you arrive at Smile Gallery Pediatric Dentistry in Roseville, CA.

The short version

Call us first for tooth injuries, tooth pain, and gum swelling. Go to the ER first for head injuries, trouble breathing or swallowing, a jaw that will not close, or bleeding you cannot control.
A knocked-out permanent tooth is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. Keep it moist in milk and get to us quickly.
Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in.
Some injuries look minor at first and show up later as a gray tooth or a bump on the gum, so follow-up visits matter.
Nitrous oxide helps nervous kids get through urgent care calmly.

What counts as a pediatric dental emergency?

Call us right away if your child has:

A tooth that was knocked out, pushed out of place, or suddenly loose after an injury
A broken tooth, especially one that hurts or shows a pink or red spot
A toothache that does not go away or keeps your child up at night
Swelling in the face or gums, a bump on the gum, or a fever along with tooth pain
A cut to the lip, tongue, or cheek that keeps bleeding

Some things can wait for a regular visit, such as a tiny chip with no pain, a baby tooth that is getting loose on its own, or mild sensitivity. If you are not sure which group your child is in, call and describe what you see.

When should you go to the emergency room instead?

Go to the ER or call 911 first if your child:

Hit their head and passed out, seems confused, or is vomiting
Has trouble breathing or swallowing
Has a jaw that will not close or looks broken
Is still bleeding after about ten minutes of steady pressure
Has swelling that is spreading toward the eye or down the neck

Once your child is safe, call us. We can take care of the teeth after the bigger concerns are handled.

What should you do before you get to the office?

A knocked-out permanent tooth

Pick the tooth up by the top, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it in milk for a few seconds without scrubbing. If you can, gently put it back in place and have your child bite on a clean cloth. If not, put it in a cup of milk and come in right away.

A knocked-out baby tooth

Do not put it back in. Doing so can harm the permanent tooth growing underneath. Press clean gauze on the spot to slow bleeding, and call us. Bring the tooth if you found it.

A broken tooth

Have your child rinse with warm water. Save any pieces in milk, and hold a cold pack on the outside of the cheek to limit swelling.

A toothache or swelling

Rinse with warm water and floss gently in case food is stuck. A children's pain reliever, given as the label directs for your child's weight, can help until you see us. Never put a pain reliever directly on the gum, because it can burn the tissue.

What happens at an emergency visit?

At Smile Gallery, Dr. Dan Truong starts by asking what happened and how your child is feeling. Then he checks the teeth, gums, lips, and bite, and takes x-rays if he needs to see the roots or the bone around them. You hear what he found and what your options are before any treatment starts.

Treatment depends on the injury:

A permanent tooth that was put back in is usually held steady with a soft splint while it heals.
Chips are smoothed or rebuilt with tooth-colored material.
A badly broken baby tooth may need a white zirconia crown to cover and protect what is left.
Swelling or infection is treated at the source, and we talk with you about next steps.

The goal is always to keep as much of your child's natural tooth as we can.

How do you help an upset child during urgent care?

A hurt child is often a scared child. We slow down, explain each step in words your child understands, and keep you close. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, helps many kids relax and stay comfortable.

If your child needs more extensive treatment, an anesthesiologist can come to our office to provide general anesthesia. That way your family does not need to go to a hospital for care.

Why does a follow-up visit matter after a dental injury?

A tooth can look fine right after an injury and still have damage inside. Over the following weeks and months, watch for:

A tooth turning gray, yellow, or dark
A pimple-like bump on the gum near the injured tooth
New pain or swelling
A tooth that gets looser instead of firmer

Follow-up visits let us check healing and catch these changes early. If you notice any of them before your next visit, call us.

How can you lower the chance of a dental emergency?

Use a mouthguard for contact sports, skateboarding, and scooters.
Keep up with regular checkups, which catch small cavities before they turn into toothaches.
Skip chewing ice and opening packages with teeth.
Use safety gates on stairs for toddlers who are still unsteady on their feet.

Frequently asked questions

Do injuries to baby teeth really matter?

Yes. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth and help with chewing and speech. An injured baby tooth can also affect the permanent tooth growing underneath, so it is worth having it checked.

How fast do I need to come in for a knocked-out tooth?

For a permanent tooth, as fast as you can. The sooner it is back in place, the better its chances of staying. Keep it moist in milk on the way.

My child's tooth turned gray after a fall. Is that an emergency?

Usually not, but call us. A gray tooth can mean the nerve inside was bruised or damaged, and Dr. Truong will want to take a look.

Should I call even if I am not sure it is an emergency?

Yes. Describe what happened and what you see, and we will help you decide what to do next.

Do you work with dental insurance?

We work with most PPO dental plans as an out-of-network provider. Our team can verify your benefits and submit claims for you.