Office Hours Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Office Location
Phone: 712-580-3300
Fax: 712-580-4328
14 East 4th Street
Spencer, IA 51301

Dental Emergencies

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, our office is ready to help. Please keep our emergency number available and convenient.

If this is a life threatening emergency, please dial 911 immediately.
What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?

Contact our office as soon as possible. Although traumatic, this is usually not an emergency and in most cases no treatment is necessary. Do not reimplant the tooth.

What should I do if my child's permanent tooth is knocked out?

Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or saliva. Contact our office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

Contact our office immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Locate the broken tooth fragment, if possible, and bring to our office.

What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

Go immediately to the emergency room or your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

What if my child has a toothache?

Call our office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with warm salt water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not apply heat or aspirin on the sore area.

What if my child cuts or bites his tongue, lips, or cheeks?

Apply ice to the affected area. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to the emergency room.