In the Case of a Dental Emergency
Urgent Treatment After Hours
After-hours emergency care is available for our established patients.
Level of Urgency
If the urgency is low, we’ll suggest simple home remedies to keep you comfortable until regular hours.
Emergency Phone Number
After hours, call our office and follow the voicemail prompts for emergencies.
What to Do if Your Child Experiences the Following:
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Toothaches in Children
Toothaches are one of the most common dental emergencies in kids. They’re usually caused by tooth decay from poor oral hygiene, but can also result from an injury or, in older children, erupting wisdom teeth.
If your child has a toothache, first try gently brushing or flossing to remove any trapped food particles. You can also have them swish warm water around the sore area to ease discomfort.
If the pain continues, it’s important to see a dentist promptly. At Tide & Timber Pediatric Dentistry, we provide gentle, high-quality care—including extractions if a tooth is too damaged to save.
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Knocked-Out Tooth
Children can sometimes knock out a tooth while playing sports, falling, or during other activities. What you do right away can make a big difference.
If it’s a baby tooth, it should not be reimplanted. If it’s a permanent tooth in an older child, pick it up carefully by the crown (the white part), avoiding the root. Rinse it gently with running water—do not scrub. If possible, place the tooth back in its socket and have your child hold it in place. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in a clean container of milk.
Then, come see us at Tide & Timber Pediatric Dentistry right away. We’ll evaluate the situation and determine the best treatment to protect your child’s smile.
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Bites or Cuts to the Tongue or Lip
Children can bite their lip or tongue while eating or falling. Even small cuts can bleed heavily, making the injury look worse than it is.
At home:
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- Rinse the mouth with water to see the injury clearly.
- Apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth to stop bleeding.
- Use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a thin cloth to reduce swelling.
- Seek medical care if the cut is deep, extends through the lip, or crosses the edge of the tongue, as it may need stitches.
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Broken or Chipped Tooth
Because the crown is the most visible part of a tooth, it’s the area most likely to be injured. If your child chips or breaks a tooth, first check how serious it looks. If the inner part of the tooth (the pulp) is exposed, it’s important to see an emergency dentist right away.
At Tide & Timber Pediatric Dentistry, we use digital X-rays and other tools to carefully assess the injury. Small chips can often be smoothed or sealed, while larger fractures may need pulp treatment to protect the tooth. At home, your child can gently rinse with warm water to help keep the area clean until their visit.
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Severe Pain and Swelling
If your child is experiencing strong pain with swelling in the face or gums, it may be a sign of an infection or abscess that requires immediate attention. In some cases, swelling can even make it difficult to breathe or swallow—this is a true emergency and should be treated right away.
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- Keep your child’s head elevated to help reduce swelling.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for comfort.
- Have your child rinse gently with warm salt water if they can tolerate it.
- Avoid giving very hard or sticky foods that could irritate the area.
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Call Tide & Timber Pediatric Dentistry right away, and seek emergency care immediately if breathing or swallowing is affected.
Children’s Dental Services
Preventative Care
Exams, cleanings, and fluoride protect your child’s teeth and build lifelong healthy smiles.
Restorative Care
We fix damaged or decayed teeth with crowns or fillings to keep your child’s smile strong and healthy.
Relaxing Care
Sedation (nitrous oxide or general anesthesia) helps your child feel calm and comfortable during dental care.
Space Maintenance
Helps keep the right amount of space for adult teeth to come in properly after a baby tooth is lost early.
Digital X-Rays
Safe, low-dose images that help us see how your child’s teeth are growing and catch problems early.
Tide and Timber PD
Proudly Serving Whatcom County
Links
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Hours
MON · TUE · WED 8:30am-5pm
ADDRESS
Tide & Timber Pediatric Dentistry
707 W Bakerview Rd.
Bellingham, WA 98226