For a permanent tooth: Hold the tooth by the crown, and rinse the root with water if it is dirty. Do not wipe the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean wash cloth or gauze, and take your child to the dentist as soon as possible. If this isn’t possible, put the tooth in a container with milk, saliva or water and take your child to the dentist as quickly as you can. Call the emergency number 215-855-4092 if after hours. Don’t forget to take the tooth with you.

For a primary tooth: Baby teeth cannot be re-implanted because of potential damage to the developing permanent tooth. However, call the dental office immediately. Instructions will vary depending on the age of the child, area of tooth loss, soft tissue involvement and the nature of the accident.

Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put cold compresses on the face to reduce swelling. Call the dental office to schedule a visit as soon as possible. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.

Clean the area gently with a cloth and place cold compresses on the area to keep swelling down. If bleeding is excessive or doesn’t stop after a short period of time, take your child to the pediatric dentist, pediatrician or hospital emergency room.

Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If you’re not successful, call the dental office for an appointment. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.

Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. Take your child to the pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Take your child to the pediatric dentist, oral surgeon or hospital emergency room immediately.

Call North Penn Pediatric Dental Associates at 215-855-4092. We may be able to resolve the problem on the phone or we may be able to refer you to a pediatric dental office near your vacation locale.

Look in the Yellow Pages under “dentist” to find the state or local dental society phone number to get a referral.

Ask the local hospital to recommend a dentist.

Ask the hotel concierge or other hotel staff to recommend a dentist.

If you are out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy. Many embassies and consulates maintain lists of local medical and dental personnel, which may also be available online at http://usembassy.state.gov. After clicking on the country you are visiting, medical listings are usually found under the heading “US Citizen Services.”