CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY DENTIST BAKERSFIELD

Fast Relief for Urgent Dental Injuries

Boy grinning outdoors after seeing his emergency dentist for children in Bakersfield

When your child comes to you with a knocked-out or broken tooth, you may be in such shock that you struggle to figure out the next steps you should take. Before entering panic mode, remember to stay calm, as this will help your child to do the same. Next, call our office right away to speak to a member of our team. Purdy Pediatric Dentistry provides same-day emergency dentistry appointments for children in and around Bakersfield with dental injuries, so we’ll work quickly to get you and your child in to see one of our dentists so that we can provide fast and effective relief.

Why Choose Purdy Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Dental Emergency Appointments Available
  • Caring Team of Experienced Dental Professionals
  • 25 Years & Counting of Being Family-Owned & Operated
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How We Treat Dental Emergencies

  • Schedule a same-day appointment. The first step is to call our office as soon as possible. This will allow us to work quickly in finding a time for you to bring your child in to see one of our skilled dentists. While waiting, we will give you first-aid tips to help your child manage their pain and other symptoms.
  • Undergo a professional examination. One of our dentists will perform a thorough examination to determine the problem area of your child’s smile. If necessary, we’ll also take digital images to get a more in-depth view of the affected tooth or teeth.
  • Review findings & treatment plan. After gathering our findings, we’ll develop a treatment plan and go over it with you so that you are aware of what we plan to do to address your child’s injury. We want to make sure you are on board with our recommendation.
  • Receive timely dental care. Apart from helping your child out of pain right away, we’ll begin to administer the appropriate method of treatment to repair their smile. We may provide antibiotics, a dental filling, a dental crown, pulp therapy, or even extraction.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

If your child is complaining of pain in one or more teeth, do not disregard the problem. Instead, go ahead and call our office. We can help you determine whether it is an issue that requires immediate care.

Understanding the Cost of Pediatric Emergency Dentistry

Little girl holding ice cream and experiencing dental emergency in Bakersfield

Regardless of what kind of dental emergency your child experiences, the cost will vary on a case-by-case basis. The reason is that no two situations are the same so that treatment will differ for each patient. At our dental office, you can expect our team to develop a plan and a cost breakdown so you can budget for your child’s care. Whether you decide to use your dental insurance or enroll in our in-house membership plan, we can help you maximize your benefits and ultimately help you save.

Every Pediatric Dental Emergency is Different

Little boy with a busted lip

No two dental emergencies are the same. Treating a knocked-out baby tooth is different than addressing one that is chipped. This is why a thorough examination is required. Our team will assess the situation and the severity of the damage before developing a treatment plan. Included will be the restorative solution we believe will most effectively restore your child’s smile.

This may include antibiotics, a tooth-colored filling, a dental crown, pulp therapy, tooth extraction, or another similar service provided in our Bakersfield office.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

Dentist reaching for instrument

Most dental insurance companies offer one free emergency exam each year and partial coverage for restorative treatment. Not all plans are the same, however, so you will need to review yours when determining how you will pay for your child’s care.

The initial visit usually does not cost much (if you are required to pay). The main method of savings comes from the restorative coverage you receive. Depending on the method of treatment your child receives, your insurance may pay 50-80% of the total cost.

Other Options for Making Pediatric Dental Emergencies Affordable

Mother and child in the dentist’s chair

At Purdy Pediatric Dentistry, we are pleased to offer an in-house membership plan for families. This can be used to support those without dental insurance or those with high-deductible plans. You pay one low annual fee based on your child’s age; in return, they receive preventive dental care, one emergency exam each year, and a valuable discount on all other available services.

Caring for Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money

Little girl giving dentist a high-five during a visit

The cost of pediatric dental emergencies in Bakersfield can add up, but you can keep expenses low by safeguarding your child’s growing smile year-round.

Making sure you help your child take proper care of their smile is the most effective way to avoid dental emergencies. This means not only observing their brushing and flossing habits at home but also bringing them in for regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings. Helping them maintain a healthy diet and protecting their teeth from accidental damage is also essential.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Girl in striped shirt and overalls touching jaw in pain

By their very nature, pediatric dental emergencies happen when you least expect them. Whether your child took a tumble on the playground and damaged a tooth or developed a sudden, severe ache, our team can address their discomfort and provide comprehensive treatment options to improve their condition.

But you can avoid the need for reparative and restorative services by avoiding urgent issues in the first place! Continue reading to learn how you can help your child avoid a dental emergency, and please contact the office directly if you require a same-day appointment.

Schedule Routine Checkups & Cleanings

Little girl with curly hair in dental chair about to have exam

Although the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that kids see their dentist every 6 months, you might think it’s safe to skip your child’s regular preventive visits if you haven’t noticed any immediate issues in their teeth or gums.

However, problems can develop quickly in still-developing smiles, and it’s important for our team to monitor their condition so we can catch and treat any areas of concern, like thinning enamel or swollen gums, before they get worse. Keeping up with routine checkups and cleanings at our Bakersfield practice can help strengthen their teeth and gums, reducing the risk of disease or decay.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home

Little boy sitting on bathroom counter brushing teeth facing a woman brushing teeth

You’ll also need to help your child keep their teeth clean in between regular dental visits by implementing a twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine. You can start brushing your child’s earliest teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized dollop of toothpaste, then encourage them to start brushing on their own while you monitor once they’re old enough to take on the task themselves.

Be sure to follow that with flossing to remove germs and residue that could be hiding between the teeth and below the gumline.

Provide a Nutritious Diet

Man, woman, and little boy making breakfast with eggs, milk, orange juice, and peppers on the counter

Consuming too much sugar can contribute to cavities, so reducing your child’s exposure to this sweet ingredient can help prevent potential problems. Then, you can help them build and maintain healthy teeth and gums by providing a variety of wholesome foods to improve their oral and overall well-being.

For example, dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese contain lots of calcium for strong teeth and bones, while many citrus fruits and leafy greens are high in vitamin C to support connective tissues.

Wear a Mouthguard

Girl in martial arts uniform with mouthguard over teeth

If your child participates in team sports, martial arts, or other high-contact activities, they’re prone to sustaining injuries that can damage or dislodge a tooth or restoration. Purchasing a custom-fitted mouthguard that they wear over their arches can help prevent physical trauma and preserve their smile.  

Try to Avoid Using Teeth as Tools

Boy sitting cross-legged in front of sofa struggling to open a bottle

Have you ever noticed your child prying open a bottle or toy packaging with their pearly whites? This can be tempting because enamel is so hard and strong; however, it’s not invincible. Using teeth as tools in this capacity could harm them and should be avoided.

Taking a few moments to discuss the importance of finding a more appropriate solution, such as having an adult assist them, can help prevent them from chipping, cracking, breaking, or pushing their teeth out of place.  

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will my child’s toothache go away on its own?

Unfortunately, toothaches in children rarely subside on their own. Most are caused by cavities, infections, or injuries—all of which need professional attention to heal. In some cases, the pain may seem to fade, but that doesn't mean the problem has gone away.

In fact, it may mean the nerve has been damaged, which is actually more serious. If your child is complaining about tooth pain, don't wait to see if it improves. Contact our Bakersfield office, so we can identify the cause and get them comfortable as quickly as possible.

How should I help my child sleep with tooth pain?

Helping a child sleep through tooth pain takes a little preparation. Start by having them gently rinse their mouth with warm salt water to reduce bacteria and soothe irritation. If they’re still achy after a few minutes, you can also offer an age-appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever. Just make sure to read the directions carefully to get the right dosage. Once they’re in bed, have your child prop their head up a little bit with an extra pillow. This will decrease blood flow to their mouth and reduce throbbing.

These steps can help your child get through the night, but it’s important to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Bakersfield as soon as possible.

Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?

Many people assume that a knocked-out baby tooth is no big deal because they’re supposed to be temporary. However, they’re vital to the development of your child’s permanent teeth, and losing one too soon can cause issues.

So, yes! Please call our Bakersfield office, even if your child seems okay. While you make the trip to our office, focus on keeping your child calm and comfortable. Look for the tooth and put it in a container for safekeeping.

Once you arrive, our team will check your child’s mouth to make sure the surrounding teeth and gums weren't affected. Then, we’ll determine whether a space maintainer is needed.

What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?

Every parent should have a few basics on hand for dental emergencies:

  • A small clean container for storing a knocked-out tooth or lost restoration.
  • Gauze pads help control bleeding.
  • A cold compress to manage swelling.
  • Cotton balls and dental wax to temporarily protect sensitive or exposed areas.
  • A few doses of age-appropriate pain reliever.
  • Dental floss or picks for dislodging stuck objects.

These basic items will cover a lot of ground when it comes to first aid for tiny teeth. Keep them all in a small bag that will slip easily into your car, so you’ll have it wherever you go.

Toothaches  

Is My Child's Toothache a Dental Emergency? Whether or not you should schedule an appointment with our kids’ emergency dentist in Bakersfield depends largely on their symptoms. For example, if your little one is struggling with a sharp, stabbing pain when they bite down, or their discomfort is getting worse with each passing day, you should get in touch with us ASAP.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Toothache There are a few steps we recommend taking, starting with scheduling an appointment at our office. Until their visit, do what you can to help alleviate your child’s discomfort, like giving them room-temperature water instead of ice-cold water.

How We Treat Toothaches in Children There are several ways we can restore your child’s healthy, happy smile, including a tooth-colored filling, a dental crown, or pulp treatment. Ultimately, the one we recommend will depend on what’s causing their toothache and how extensive the damage is.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PULP TREATMENT

Cracked Tooth  

Is My Child's Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, especially if the damage is visible. So, don’t hesitate to call us. Over the phone, we will schedule an emergency appointment and guide you through how to help your little one protect their tooth from further harm in the meantime.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Cracked Tooth To prevent the crack from getting worse, it’s important that your child doesn’t eat anything crunchy. It’s also a good idea to avoid hot and cold foods and drinks to prevent sensitivity.

How We Treat Children's Cracked Teeth Fortunately, cracked teeth can often be saved. If that’s not an option because the damage is severe, then we will need to extract the tooth to restore your child’s healthy, pain-free smile. Then, we can determine if a space maintainer needs to be made to preserve the alignment of their bite.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth  

Is A Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since the tooth starts to die after only 15 minutes, the answer is a resounding “yes.” So, don’t wait, call our pediatric emergency dentist in Bakersfield ASAP.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth Calling us is an important first step, but it isn’t the only one we recommend taking. You should also place the tooth back in its socket. If the idea of doing that scares your child or if it doesn’t slide back into place easily, then do the next best thing: place it in a clean container filled with milk or saline solution.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Permanent Teeth The treatment we recommend will depend entirely on your child’s unique dental needs. For example, if their tooth is in good condition, then we may be able to save it. If it was badly damaged or lost, then we will discuss their tooth-replacement options instead.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth  

Is a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth a Dental Emergency? If your child’s tooth was knocked out prematurely or there’s a possibility that their surrounding teeth and gums were damaged in the incident, you should call us ASAP to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth Unlike permanent teeth, primary teeth should not be placed back in the socket. Instead, focus on helping your child stay calm, alleviating any pain they are experiencing, and bringing them to our office.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Baby Teeth If your child’s permanent tooth is about to break through the gumline, then the solution may simply be allowing time for that to happen. If that’s not the case, then we will likely recommend a space maintainer, which will prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting out of position in the meantime.

Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek  

Is a Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek an Emergency? No, soft tissue injuries like these don’t usually necessitate a same-day visit. That said, you shouldn’t hesitate to call our Bakersfield dental team if you are unsure of what to do or would prefer to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Soft Tissue Injury First, bring your child to the sink and have them rinse with clean, cool water. Then, once you’ve located the cut, apply pressure with gauze or a damp, clean washcloth. Once the bleeding stops, you can use a cold compress to alleviate any lingering swelling or discomfort.

How We Treat Soft Tissue Injuries in Children Although a bitten tongue, lip, or cheek doesn’t typically require emergency dental care, you should call 911 or head to the ER if the cut is bleeding uncontrollably or your child is experiencing any other potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Dental Concussion

Is my child’s dental concussion an emergency?

A dental concussion refers to when a tooth is pushed out of position but has not been knocked out, and it is particularly common among young athletes. The urgency of the problem depends on how severe it is, so please contact our Bakersfield office as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment for your child.

How you should handle your child’s dental concussion:

Begin by carefully rinsing your child’s mouth and treating discomfort with a cold compress or over-the-counter pain medication. Refrain from touching the tooth and instruct your child to avoid poking at it with their tongue or fingers.

How we treat dental concussions in children:

We’ll begin by checking the tooth and taking x-rays to gather the information we need to determine the best treatment. Slightly concussed teeth sometimes realign themselves on their own over time, but we may need to use a splint to straighten the tooth in a more severe case. However, we may need to perform pulp therapy, a root canal, or an extraction in extreme cases.

Learn More About Pulp Therapy & Root Canal Treatment

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Sensitive Teeth

Are my child’s sensitive teeth an emergency?

Dental sensitivity in children is usually caused by cavities, and leaving these infections untreated will eventually lead to tooth loss. This issue can also be the result of injuries, worn fillings, or teeth grinding. In any case, please contact our Bakersfield office right away.

How you should handle your child’s sensitive teeth:

We’ll be happy to provide you with first aid instructions and schedule your child for an appointment over the phone. You may be able to reduce your child’s discomfort by having them use desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash. Make sure they avoid foods and beverages that are hot, cold, spicy, sour, or sugary. It’s best to have them drink only lukewarm water.

How we treat sensitive teeth in children:

The best treatment for dental sensitivity depends on its cause. While we will have to address tooth decay with a filling or pulp therapy, we can often address issues like thin enamel with dental sealants or fluoride.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments

Learn More About Dental Sealants

Learn More About Fillings

Learn More About Pulp Therapy & Root Canal Treatment

Lost Filling/Crown

Is my child’s lost filling or crown an emergency?

While fillings and crowns are crafted to be quite durable, they don’t last forever and will eventually require replacement. If your child’s restoration falls out, contact our office as soon as possible to schedule an emergency appointment.

How you should handle your child’s lost filling or crown:

If you can, locate and store the restoration in a clean container. Until your child’s appointment, have them avoid foods and beverages that are sweet, acidic, or spicy and give them over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. If part of your child’s tooth is especially sensitive, you can cover it with dental wax or a little bit of sugar-free gum.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns in children:

If the restoration is still in great shape, we may be able to fit the restoration back in place. However, we will need to replace a filling or crown that cannot be salvaged to prevent future injuries and infections.

Learn More About Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Something Stuck between Teeth

Is something stuck between my child’s teeth an emergency?

Please contact our Bakersfield office if your child has an object stuck between their teeth that cannot be removed with a thorough session of brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

How you should handle something stuck between your child’s teeth:

Never attempt to remove stubborn debris with sharp tools such as tweezers, toothpicks, or needles. Contact our office if the object cannot be dislodged with conventional oral hygiene methods. Our dental team is trained and equipped to safely and gently remove objects stuck between children’s teeth.