Urgent Dental Care for Kids in Rockaway Beach
Dental emergencies can be scary—but you’re not alone. At Rockaway Beach Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we offer fast, gentle care when your child needs it most. Dr. Nieku Manshadi is here to ease the pain, fix the problem, and help your child feel safe and cared for.
What to Do in Common Emergencies
Dental accidents happen—whether it’s a fall at the playground, a surprise toothache, or a piece of popcorn that won’t budge. Knowing what to do in the moment can make all the difference. Here’s how to handle the most common dental emergencies until you can get to our office.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If your child knocks out a baby tooth, don’t try to reinsert it. Just call our office and bring the tooth with you if you can.
Baby teeth usually aren’t put back in, but we’ll want to make sure the area is healing properly and that there’s no damage to the surrounding teeth or gums.
If it’s a permanent tooth, time matters. Gently rinse the tooth with water (do not scrub or use soap) and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If that’s too uncomfortable, store it in milk or in your child’s mouth (between the cheek and gums) and call us right away.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
For a chipped tooth, first, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. If there’s swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the face. Try to find and save any broken pieces of the tooth.
Store them in a small container and bring them with you to the appointment.Small chips may not need urgent treatment, but if your child is in pain or the tooth looks badly damaged, call our office right away.
We’ll examine the area and decide whether bonding, a filling, or another option is the best way to restore their smile.
Toothache
Toothaches can come on fast and leave your child feeling miserable. Start by rinsing their mouth with warm water to clean the area. Then, gently floss between the teeth to make sure there’s nothing stuck.
If the pain continues, give your child a cold compress—but don’t place aspirin or pain relievers directly on the gums.
Tooth pain can be a sign of a cavity, infection, or something else going on under the surface. We’ll take a closer look, relieve the pain, and get your child smiling again in no time.
Broken Braces or Wires
If your child wears braces and something breaks or comes loose, don’t panic. If a wire is poking their cheek or gums, use a small piece of orthodontic wax to cover the sharp edge.
You can also try gently pushing the wire back into place using a pencil eraser or the end of a clean cotton swab.
If the wire is causing pain or can’t be moved, give us a call. We’ll tell you whether it needs immediate attention or can wait until their next scheduled visit. Either way, we’re here to help make them comfortable.
Object Caught Between Teeth
It’s common for kids to get food or small objects stuck between their teeth. Use dental floss to try and remove the item gently—never use anything sharp, like a toothpick, tweezers, or metal object. If the item won’t come out or your child is in pain, call our office.
We’ll safely remove the object and make sure everything looks good. It’s a simple fix, but it’s always better to have us take a look if you’re unsure.
Soft Tissue Injuries (Lips, Cheeks, Tongue)
Biting the inside of the mouth or tongue happens more often than you’d think—especially with active kids. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a washcloth. Use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10–15 minutes, or if the injury looks deep, give us a call. Dr. Manshadi will check for hidden damage and make sure everything is healing as it should.