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Calm assessment
The dentist talks to your child first, then examines the mouth and takes an X-ray if the child can manage it. Parents stay in the room.
Same-day appointments for children
Pediatric Emergency Dentist: Same-Day Care for Children's Dental Injuries
Children fall, collide and get cavities faster than adults. A dentist who treats kids every day knows how to fix the problem quickly without making your child afraid of the next visit.
1-855-219-4656 Can my child see an emergency dentist today?
Yes. Call 1-855-219-4656 and we refer you to a partner dentist experienced with children who has a same-day slot. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, act fast: keep it in milk and be seen within the hour. For a toothache, swelling or chipped tooth, a same-day visit is enough. Exams cost about $100 to $250 without insurance, and many children's plans cover emergency visits.
A child’s dental emergency is stressful mostly because of the unknown. Once you know that baby teeth are not replanted, that a knocked-out adult tooth can be saved if you move quickly, and that a same-day appointment is available, the situation becomes manageable. The dentist handles the rest.
Children's dental problems that need same-day care
- A permanent tooth knocked out or pushed out of position by a fall or a ball
- A chipped or broken tooth that hurts or has a sharp edge
- Toothache that keeps your child awake or stops them eating
- A swollen gum, cheek or a pimple on the gum, with or without fever
- A cut lip, tongue or gum that keeps bleeding after ten minutes of pressure
Baby teeth that are knocked out are not replanted, but the dentist still checks that the permanent tooth underneath is unharmed. For first aid, see knocked-out tooth and dental trauma.
What happens at a pediatric emergency visit
2
Comfort and numbing
A numbing gel goes on before any injection. Nitrous oxide is offered for anxious children. Sedation is arranged separately for bigger procedures.
3
Fix the problem
Bonding for chips, splinting for loosened teeth, a small filling or extraction for painful decay, or drainage and antibiotics for an abscess. Most visits take under an hour.
Cost of pediatric emergency dental care
| Type | Without insurance | With insurance (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 | $0–$50 |
| Baby tooth extraction | $150–$400 | $30–$150 |
| Bonding for a chipped tooth | $150–$500 | $50–$250 |
| Abscess drainage + antibiotics | $200–$500 | $50–$200 |
| Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) | $50–$300 | Usually not covered |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. National ranges from partner clinics; city pages show local figures. Children's dental coverage is often included in family health plans and state programs, so check before assuming you will pay in full. Read the no-insurance guide for other options. See the emergency dental cost guide.
Aftercare for children after emergency treatment
- Watch your child while the mouth is numb. Chewing a numb lip or cheek is the most common problem after a visit.
- Offer soft, cool foods for the rest of the day and avoid the treated side.
- Children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen at the dose for their weight handles soreness. Never give aspirin to a child.
- Keep brushing, but go gently around the treated tooth for a few days.
- A tooth that was injured can darken weeks later. Book a check if you notice a color change, a bump on the gum or new pain.
Find same-day kids emergency dentist in your city
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
- New York, NY
- El Paso, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Sacramento, CA
- Miami, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- All states
Related services and guides
- Broken tooth repair
- Abscess drainage and antibiotics
- Sedation for anxious patients
- Emergency tooth extraction
Related emergency guides: Knocked-out tooth, Chipped tooth, Dental trauma after an accident.
Kids Emergency Dentist FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Should I go to the ER or a dentist for my child's dental injury?
A dentist, unless there is heavy bleeding that will not stop, a possible broken jaw, loss of consciousness or trouble breathing. Emergency rooms rarely have a dentist on site and usually refer you on.
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse briefly if dirty, place it back in the socket if your child is old enough to hold it there, or keep it in milk. Get to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes.
Do baby teeth need emergency treatment?
Sometimes. An infected baby tooth can damage the adult tooth forming underneath and causes real pain. The dentist may fill, treat or remove it depending on how long it has left.
Will my child need to be sedated?
Most emergency visits are managed with numbing gel, local anesthetic and nitrous oxide. Deeper sedation is reserved for very young children or extensive treatment, and is planned rather than done on the spot.
How much does a children's emergency dental visit cost?
The exam and X-ray run $100 to $250 without insurance. Treatments such as bonding, extraction or abscess drainage add $150 to $500 depending on what is needed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies, Mayo Clinic, Broken or knocked-out tooth. Editorial policy.
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