When Should Your Child See a Dentist Immediately? A Parent's Guide to Pediatric Dental Emergencies
As a parent, few situations are more stressful than when your child experiences dental trauma or severe tooth pain. At Lovebee Pediatric Dentistry in Tustin, Dr. Jae Kwak regularly sees families who are unsure whether their child's situation requires immediate attention or can wait until regular office hours.
Dr. Kwak completed her pediatric dentistry training at UT Health in Houston after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Boston University's dental program. This guide provides parents with the information needed to make informed decisions about pediatric dental emergencies.
Why Primary Teeth Matter in Emergencies
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), primary teeth serve critical functions that make emergency care essential:
Space Maintenance: Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, preventing crowding
Speech Development: Proper pronunciation depends on intact primary teeth
Nutritional Support: Healthy teeth enable proper chewing during critical growth periods
Confidence Building: A healthy smile supports social development
The AAPD emphasizes that primary teeth deserve the same urgent attention as permanent teeth.
IMMEDIATE Care Needed (Call Now)
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Time is critical! Studies show permanent teeth have a 90% success rate for reimplantation when treated within 30 minutes, dropping to 43% after one hour.
For Primary Teeth: The AAPD recommends against reimplantation due to risk of damaging the developing permanent tooth.
For Permanent Teeth - What Parents Should Do:
Handle by crown only - avoid touching the root
Gentle saline rinse - remove debris without scrubbing
Try to place back in socket if possible
If not possible, store in milk or the child's saliva
Call Lovebee Pediatric Dentistry immediately at (714) 717-3757
Serious Infection Warning Signs
Call immediately if your child has:
Facial swelling beyond the tooth area
Fever above 101°F
Difficulty swallowing
Unusual drowsiness or irritability
Never apply heat externally - this worsens swelling.
URGENT Care (Same Day)
Severe Tooth Pain
Signs needing same-day attention:
Throbbing pain preventing eating or sleeping
Pain with hot/cold temperatures
Visible swelling around the tooth
Immediate relief steps:
Give age-appropriate ibuprofen (most effective for dental pain)
Cold compress: 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off
Never place aspirin directly on gums
Chipped or Broken Tooth with Pain
Even small chips can expose sensitive inner tooth layers. Parents should:
Save tooth fragments in milk
Rinse the child's mouth with warm water
Cover sharp edges with gauze
Call for same-day appointment at (714) 717-3757
Lovebee's restorative treatments can repair chips and prevent bigger problems.
Can Wait 24-48 Hours
Small chips without pain
Lost fillings (use temporary dental cement from pharmacy)
Food stuck between teeth that can be gently flossed
Lovebee's Emergency Care Approach
What Makes Lovebee Different:
"My son had an infection that made his cheek swell up... Dr. Jae and her team are amazing. I called they took him in the next day and scheduled emergency treatment... she gave my son antibiotics that helped immediately. They were communicative the whole time." - Verified patient review
Key Features:
Same-day emergency slots reserved for urgent cases
Parents stay with child throughout visit - no separation anxiety
Modern, child-friendly office at 1631 Edinger Ave in Tustin
No waiting room delays with appointment-only scheduling
Sedation Options When Needed
For anxious children, Lovebee offers:
Nitrous Oxide ("Laughing Gas"): No recovery time needed
Oral Conscious Sedation: For children needing extra relaxation
General Anesthesia: With vetted anesthesiologists for extensive procedures
Learn more about sedation dentistry options.
Preventing Future Emergencies
Sports Protection:
Custom mouthguards reduce dental injury risk by 82%
Properly fitted helmets for biking and skating
Daily Prevention:
Avoid ice cubes, hard candies, and popcorn kernels
Never let children run with objects in their mouths
Regular preventive care catches problems early
Routine Services That Prevent Emergencies:
Professional cleanings every six months
Early cavity treatment prevents infections
Infant care programs for good habits from the start
Insurance & Payment
Lovebee accepts most major insurance including Aetna, Anthem, Bluecross Blueshield, Cigna, Delta PPO, and UnitedHealthcare. The practice also accepts CareCredit for flexible payment options.
Call (714) 717-3757 to verify specific coverage.
Emergency Contact Information
Is your child experiencing a dental emergency right now?
Call immediately: (714) 717-3757
After hours: Call the main number for emergency instructions
Prevent future emergencies: Schedule your child's routine checkup - regular care prevents most emergency situations.
Dr. Jae Kwak specializes in pediatric dentistry at Lovebee Pediatric Dentistry in Tustin, serving Orange County families. The child-friendly approach and comprehensive emergency care ensure children receive expert treatment in a comfortable environment.
Services: Emergency Care | Sedation Dentistry | Preventive Care | Infant Care | Book Appointment
This information is educational only. Contact Lovebee Pediatric Dentistry at (714) 717-3757 for professional evaluation of any dental emergency.
