Pediatric Dental Emergencies in Upper Westside, New York | Same-Day Care for Kids

A pediatric dental emergency can be frightening for both a child and a parent, but you do not have to face it alone. Westside Family Dental Group offers same-day kids dental visits for common childhood dental emergencies, including toothaches, knocked-out teeth, and injuries to the mouth or gums. Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Amanda Dewundara, DDS, MPH, and our team focus on gentle, kid-friendly care that helps your child feel safe from the moment you walk in.

What Is a Pediatric Dental Emergency?

Not every dental issue needs urgent attention, but some situations call for prompt care to protect a child’s teeth and long-term oral health. A pediatric dental emergency can involve pain, bleeding that will not stop, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, or signs of infection like swelling and pus. Because children’s teeth and jaws are still developing, waiting even a short time can impact the direction of how a permanent tooth comes in, and the quality of its development after an injury.  We are here to help; call our office as soon as you notice a problem.

Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies We Treat

We treat a wide range of urgent pediatric dental needs, and each one calls for its own type of care.

• Toothaches and dental pain, often caused by a cavity, infection, or food trapped between teeth. Call us right away if your child’s pain does not ease.
• Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth. A knocked-out baby tooth is handled differently than a knocked-out permanent tooth, so it helps to call us immediately either way. (For a baby tooth, we DO NOT put it back in the mouth. It is still important to visit us so we can evaluate the surrounding areas and ideally take an x-ray to see how the developing adult tooth underneath looks.)
• Chipped or broken teeth, which can range from a small chip to a break that exposes the inner tooth nerve and needs prompt repair.
• Loose or dislodged teeth caused by a fall, sports injury, or other trauma.
• Dental abscess or infection, which may show up as swelling, fever, or a bump near the gum and should be treated quickly.
• Injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue, which can bleed heavily even when the injury itself is minor.
• Lost fillings, crowns, or space maintainers, which help protect a child’s bite and should be repaired so nearby teeth stay in place.

What to Do in a Pediatric Dental Emergency

If your child has a dental emergency, a few simple steps can help before you reach our office.

• Stay calm so your child feels reassured rather than alarmed.
• Rinse the area gently with warm water to clean away any debris.
• If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, hold it by the crown top, rinse it without scrubbing, and keep it moist in milk or saliva until you reach the dentist. DO NOT put in water – this can damage the cells.
• Call our office right away to let us know you are on your way.

When to Go to the ER vs. the Dentist

Most pediatric dental emergencies can be treated in our office, but some situations call for emergency room care first. Consider the ER if your child has severe, uncontrolled bleeding that does not stop with steady gauze pressure, significant swelling or fever alongside a dental injury, or trauma to the face or jaw. If you need help determining what to do, call our office and we will help you decide on the best next step.

How We Keep Children Comfortable at Westside Family Dental

We know dental visits can feel overwhelming for a child, especially during an emergency, so our team takes extra time to explain what is happening in simple, friendly language. Dr. Amanda Dewundara and our team use gentle behavioral techniques to help kids feel more at ease, and nitrous oxide is available to support comfort during treatment when appropriate.

Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies

A few simple habits can help reduce the risk of a pediatric dental emergency.

• Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during sports and physical activity
• Practicing consistent brushing and flossing at home
• Keeping up with regular dental checkups so small issues are caught early
• Avoiding hard foods or objects that can crack or chip a tooth

If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, please call Westside Family Dental Group at Westside Family Dental Group Phone Number 212-496-9600 right away. Our team is here to help your child feel comfortable and cared for, with same-day appointments available whenever we can.