Emergency Pediatric Dentist in Bergen County

When your child has a dental emergency, the last thing you need is to spend time searching for the right place to call. As an emergency pediatric dentist serving Ramsey and Bergen County, our team at Joie Pediatric Dentistry is experienced in managing urgent dental situations in children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.

What Counts as a Pediatric Dental Emergency

Not every dental issue requires immediate attention, but some situations should not wait. Contact us as soon as possible if your child has:

A knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth
A broken, cracked, or severely chipped tooth
A toothache that is persistent or getting worse
A dental abscess or swelling in the gums, jaw, or face
A soft tissue injury to the lips, tongue, or cheeks following an accident
A lost crown or filling that is causing pain or sensitivity

When in doubt, call us. We would rather help you assess the situation over the phone than have you waiting at home unsure of what to do

Common Emergencies We Treat

Our team manages a wide range of urgent dental situations in children, including:

Dental abscesses and localized swelling
Traumatic tooth injuries from falls, sports, or accidents
Severe toothaches and infections
Broken or dislodged restorations
Soft tissue lacerations in and around the mouth

What to Do Before You Get to Our Office

emergency pediatric dentist with a patient kid

Knocked-out permanent tooth

Time is critical. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or in the patient’s saliva and replant or return it to its original position in the jaw and hold it in place gently. If the child is anxious and does not let you re-implant, keep the tooth in a small container of milk or the child’s saliva and get to a pediatric dentist as quickly as possible: IDEALLY WITHIN 30 minutes.

Knocked-out baby tooth

Do not try to replant a baby tooth. Clean the area gently, apply light pressure with gauze if there is bleeding, and call us to have the area evaluated.

Chipped or broken teeth

Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek. Save any pieces of the tooth if you can and bring them with you.

Toothache

Rinse with warm water and check gently for any food or debris between the teeth. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum or tooth. Over-the-counter children’s pain relievers can help manage discomfort while you arrange a visit.

Swelling or abscess

Do not try to drain it yourself. Apply a cold compress for comfort and contact us promptly. Facial swelling in particular should always be evaluated immediately.

When to Go to the ER Instead of a Pediatric Dentist

Some situations require emergency medical care rather than a dental visit. Go to the nearest emergency room if your child has:

Significant facial trauma with a possible jaw fracture
Swelling spreading to the throat, neck, or floor of the mouth
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
A high fever combined with facial swelling
A head injury accompanying the dental trauma

In these cases, call 911 or go directly to the ER. Once your child is medically stable, we can follow up on the dental side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Do not attempt to put it back. Baby teeth are not replanted because doing so can interfere with the development of the permanent tooth underneath. Clean the area, manage any bleeding with gentle pressure, and bring your child in so we can check the surrounding teeth and gum tissue.

What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?

Handle the tooth by the crown only, rinse it gently with milk, saliva or saline without scrubbing, and try to reinsert it into the socket if your child is able to cooperate. If not, store it in milk and get to an emergency pediatric dentist as quickly as possible. The sooner the tooth is reimplanted, the better the outcome..

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?

It depends on how much of the tooth is affected. A small chip may not require same-day care, while a fracture that exposes the inner layer of the tooth or causes significant pain should be seen promptly. Call us and we can help you decide.

My child has a toothache. How do I know if it is serious?

A toothache that is mild and resolves on its own is usually less urgent. Persistent pain, pain that wakes your child at night, swelling, or fever alongside a toothache are signs that the situation needs to be evaluated immediately.

Can I give my child pain medication before a dental visit?

Yes. Age-appropriate over-the-counter pain relievers such as children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen are safe to use for temporary relief. Follow the dosing instructions on the packaging based on your child’s weight and age.

Let’s Make Your First Visit Easy

Whether you’re from Ramsey, Mahwah, Allendale, or anywhere in Bergen County, we’d love to welcome your family to ours.

SHOWTIMES (HOURS)
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Sat/Sun: Closed

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