Emergencies

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Bumps, Breaks, and Baby Teeth—We’ve Seen It All.

When dental trauma strikes, every minute matters—especially with children. Whether it's a knocked-out tooth, a broken bracket, or unexpected swelling, our team is ready to guide you through the next steps with calm, expert care. Use this guide to understand what qualifies as a true emergency, when to call immediately, and what you can do at home until you're seen.

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Pedo Emergencies

baby teeth

  • Knocked out baby tooth otherwise known as “avulsion” cannot be put back as it will injure the permanent tooth behind it.   Find the tooth, take a photo, take a photo of the mouth and call us. Unless other tissues have been injured, once we confirm that the tooth is out of the mouth, we can schedule for the next working day to confirm no other teeth or bone are involved.

  • Broken front baby tooth due to trauma can be an emergency depending on the severity of the injury.  If the nerve part of the tooth (pulp) is exposed and you can see red tissue inside the tooth, the doctor might have to meet you to close the exposure.  However, if only outer part is affected, we can schedule for the next working day.  Take photos from several angles and call us to discuss.

  • Displaced baby tooth is usually something we can address the next business day, but call the doctor with photos to make sure.

  • Bleeding gums/lips/soft tissues most of the time heal on their own.  However, some wounds are deeper and more severe than they first appear so take photos and call the doctor.  In rare cases when sutures are needed, our doctor will meet you in the office or refer to an oral surgeon for further treatment.

  • Broken baby tooth due to over-retention and eruption of permanent tooth is not an emergency and can be seen on the next business day. If you have doubts about what you are seeing, take photos and call the doctor.

  • Infection can appear in a variety of ways. It could look like a pimple above the tooth, swelling, redness or white substance oozing slowly from around the tooth. In adult teeth it could also present as pain. If you note anything like that, it usually is related to a tooth with a large cavity or a tooth with previous dental treatment or trauma.  Call the doctor.  We can prescribe antibiotics and see the patient on the next business day. In some cases the doctor will meet you in the office for immediate extraction.

  • Broken or loose retainer. If the retainer or spacer is completely off the teeth, you can call our office on the next business day.  However, if it is partially off and bothering the patient, preventing him or her from eating, or causing cuts on cheeks or gums, try to see if you can take it off completely and if not, call our office and we will help.

Permanent Teeth

  • Knocked out adult tooth otherwise known as “avulsion” must be put back as soon as possible within 60 minutes.  With every minute chances of saving the tooth diminish. This a TRUE DENTAL EMERGENCY.  Call our office immediately.  Find the tooth, hold it by the crown and try not to touch the root.  Rinse mouth with water and put the tooth back into the socket (opening from which the tooth came) as soon as you can.  Bite down on gauze and head to our office after talking to the doctor.  If you absolutely cannot put the tooth into the socket, put it in a “save a tooth solution” or in milk and head to the dentist right away.  We will put the tooth back in and splint it for stability.  Kids who avulse a permanent tooth have a high chance of losing it in the future.

  • Broken front permanent tooth due to trauma can be an emergency depending on the severity of the injury.  If the nerve part of the tooth (pulp) is exposed and you can see red tissue inside the tooth, the doctor might have to meet you to close the exposure.  However, if only outer part is affected, we can schedule for the next working day.  Take photos from several angles and call us to discuss.

  • Displaced adult tooth should be addressed as soon as possible. We need to take an x-ray and assess any fractures of the tooth or bone around it.  We then need to put the tooth in place as soon as possible before blood clots form and prohibit us from doing so.  We might split the tooth as well.  Call our office as soon as possible.

  • Bleeding gums/lips/soft tissues most of the time heal on their own.  However, some wounds are deeper and more severe than they first appear so take photos and call the doctor.  In rare cases when sutures are needed, our doctor will meet you in the office or refer to an oral surgeon for further treatment.

  • Infection can appear in a variety of ways. It could look like a pimple above the tooth, swelling, redness or white substance oozing slowly from around the tooth.  If you note anything like that, it usually is related to a tooth with a large cavity or a tooth with previous dental treatment or trauma.  Call the doctor.  We can prescribe antibiotics and see the patient on the next business day.  That tooth will most likely need a root canal treatment, and we will refer to an endodontist after assessment.

Ortho Emergencies

All Teeth

  • If a bracket comes loose from the tooth, call our office for an appointment. While a tight bracket actually protects a tooth from decay, a loose bracket is extremely dangerous and decay can occur under it very rapidly. If the bracket is still attached to a wire, leave it in place and apply wax if there is discomfort. If the bracket comes completely out, place it in an envelope and call for an appointment.

  • When you have just started wearing braces, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 1 day to 1 week. This soreness can be soothed by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water rinse. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. Placing an over-the-counter topical anesthetic on the affected area may also help. This soothing aid can be found in your local pharmacy or grocery store.

  • If you have a traumatic injury resulting in cuts to your lips or gums or if you have a loose tooth, please contact our office immediately. If you have broken any part of a tooth, you will need to contact your family dentist. If you suspect that your jaw has been injured or notice that your teeth have been moved by the accident, you may also need to be seen by an oral surgeon.

  • If you have an infected tooth or any type of swelling in the facial region it is best to contact your family dentist first. Remember that he or she is trained to handle a range of dental problems and can most likely offer the necessary diagnostic tools, anesthetics and treatments you may need. After the problem is resolved, please call our office so we may determine if any changes in orthodontic treatment are necessary.

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Please remember:

If you are involved in contact sports, a regular mouth guard can be fitted over your braces for added protection.

In the event of an emergency

In the event of an emergency

If it cannot wait until your next scheduled appointment, please contact our office.


During Normal Office Hours: 713.861.4000
After Hours: a message with both doctor’s phone numbers will be provided

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“Fantastic dentist and orthodontist combo !! I have taken my kids to Dr. Lindhorst for years - SHe is extremely knowledgeable and great with kids. Have an ortho attached is so convenient! Fantastic practice.”