What To Do in a Dental Emergency (Without Freaking Out)

First Rule: Don't Panic.

When a dental emergency happens - like a chipped tooth, knocked-out tooth, bleeding from the mouth, or uncontrollable pain - it's easy to worry. Take a deep breath, comfort your child, and understand you're not alone. We'll get through this together.

At Good Life Smiles, Dr. Pete provides 24/7 emergency call for all active patients. Your child is considered an active patient if they've made Good Life Smiles their dental home, and they've been seen for a cleaning and exam in the last 24 months.

If your child IS an active patient:

You have access to our 24/7 emergency line.

Step 1: Call the Emergency Line.

After normal business hours, call (402) 502-1700 and dial 2. Leave us a short message with your name and the patient's name, and a description of what happened.

Step 2: Text a Photo.

If you are able to, take a picture of the injury or the tooth that is hurting, and text it to us at (402) 502-1700. This helps Dr. Pete assess the situation quickly.

Step 3: Wait for a Callback.

Dr. Pete will review your voicemail and any photos, and then he will call you back (usually within 10 minutes).

After Hours Visits:

Good News! Most dental emergencies don't actually require an after hours visit. We'll talk about the injury and any next steps to get through the night. If your child doesn't need to be seen right away, we'll schedule an exam for the next business day, if needed.

However, there are some emergencies that can't wait, and Dr. Pete is always ready to help. If your child needs to be seen when the office is closed, please understand that an After Hours Office Visit Fee will apply.

Emergencies that need to be seen urgently:

Call immediately if your child:

• Knocks out a permanent tooth.

• Breaks a tooth, and there is bleeding from inside the tooth.

• Has uncontrollable bleeding.

• Has dental pain that cannot be controlled by Tylenol or Motrin.

• Has swelling on the outside of their face.

• Has a tooth pushed out of place, and they can't bite down normally.

The fast we act, the more likely we can save a tooth and relieve pain quickly.

If your child is NOT an active patient:

We are not able to provide emergency care or medical advice for children who have not been seen for a cleaning and exam at Good Life Smiles within the last 24 months.

If your child needs immediate help and is not an active patient:

• Contact your child's dental home, if they have been seen by another dentist previously.

• Call the 24-hour Children's Hospital Find-a-Doctor Hotline at 1-800-833-3110 and ask to speak with the pediatric dentist on call.

• If your child needs immediate medical attention, go directly to Children's Hospital Emergency Department on 84th & Dodge Streets in Omaha.

Remember: Keeping calm helps your child stay calm.

You're their person. Your reassurance matters most. Take a deep breath, and tell them:

"Dr. Pete is going to make it better. We've got it covered."

At Good Life Smiles Pediatric Dentist, we're always just a call away - day or night - when your child needs help the most.