In the event of an emergency please call our office at 403-873-1414 . If after hours, you will be directed as to how to contact Dr. Kari directly via her cell phone. If you are unable to reach Dr. Kari, please go directly to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Emergency Department as they have a pediatric dentist on-call at all times.
In case of a severe or life-threatening injury, call 9-1-1.
Our Emergency Protocol
Every emergency situation is different, which is why we encourage parents to call us right away. We will listen to what happened, give you advice for immediate comfort, and decide if your child needs to be seen urgently or scheduled within a day or two.
During Office Hours
During clinic hours, children in pain are seen as soon as possible. For injuries or trauma, we make time that day or within two days. For more serious concerns, such as knocked-out teeth or fractures to the pulp, Dr. Kari may adjust her schedule or stay late to provide care.
After-Hours Emergencies
When the office is closed, Dr. Kari does her best to look after her own patients. If she is in town, she personally handles after-hours calls so families can avoid long waits in the ER. When she is away, she arranges for a trusted colleague to provide coverage, ensuring her patients are still seen quickly.
Dr. Kari also participates in the 24/7/365 pediatric dentistry emergency rotation at Alberta Children’s Hospital, where a pediatric dentist is always on call.
Either way, your child will be cared for quickly. In every case, our goal is to provide clear communication and timely solutions so you feel supported from the first phone call until your child is comfortable again.
Common Dental Emergencies in Kids
From playground falls to sudden toothaches, children’s dental emergencies come in many forms. Here are some of the most common ones and what to do if they happen.
Knocked Out Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, call us right away for an emergency appointment. Place the tooth in milk (not water) and bring it with you. Apply a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to reduce pain and swelling. If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not try to put it back in place. Call our office so we can check the area and make sure no further treatment is needed.
Loose or Displaced Teeth
If a tooth is knocked loose or shifts out of position, it can interfere with your child’s bite. Call our office right away for advice and an appointment. Keep your child from biting on the injured tooth until it has been checked.
Cracked or Chipped Tooth
A small chip may only need to be smoothed, but a deeper fracture can reach the inner pulp and cause pain. Call our office for an appointment, and have your child avoid chewing on the injured tooth until it is examined. Depending on the severity, treatment may include bonding, a crown, or pulp therapy to protect the tooth.
Injured Teeth
A tooth that becomes sensitive after an injury may have hidden nerve damage. Call our office right away to have it examined. If your child is experiencing pain or swelling, apply a cold compress to the face or use children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed to ease discomfort.
Discoloured Teeth
A tooth may become discoloured after an injury. This is best described as a bruised tooth. In 50% of cases this bruising goes away on its own. In the other 50% of cases the bruising may lighten but will not go away entirely. Either way, typically no treatment is required but it is best to call our office to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to have Dr. Kari take an x-ray to rule out more serious problems.
Severe Toothaches and Painful Chewing
If your child has a severe toothache, it may be caused by a cavity, crack, or infection. Rinse the mouth gently with warm water and keep the area clean. Use children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed to ease discomfort until the tooth can be treated. Call our office right away if they cannot eat, sleep, or get relief with children’s pain medication.
Tooth Infection or Abscess
A tooth infection may cause swelling, fever, or a pimple-like bump on the gums. Rinse the mouth gently with warm saltwater to keep the area clean and help with discomfort. Call our office right away, as infections can spread quickly and need prompt treatment. Go straight to the emergency department if swelling makes it hard for your child to breathe, swallow, or open their mouth.
Trauma or Injury to the Jaw
Jaw injuries from sports accidents, falls, or playground bumps can affect more than just the teeth. Go straight to the emergency department if your child has trouble opening or closing their mouth. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling while you seek care.
🦷 Be Prepared with a Dental First Aid Kit
A few simple items can make handling a dental emergency easier until your child is seen:
- A clean container with a lid (to carry a tooth or fragments)
- Saline solution or clean water (for gentle rinsing)
- Gauze pads or cotton balls
- Instant cold ice pack
- Children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Add a note with your dentist’s phone number so it is always easy to find.
Certain situations require immediate hospital care rather than waiting to be seen in our office. If your child experiences any of the following, go directly to the emergency department:
When to Go Straight to the Hospital
- Severe head trauma
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Suspected broken jaw
- Swelling of the face associated with fever
- Any injury affecting breathing or consciousness
Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary always has a pediatric dentist and oral surgeon on call, ensuring children receive specialized emergency care when it’s needed most.
Tooth Be Told
Children often heal faster than adults after oral injuries thanks to their developing tissues. With timely dental care, most kids recover quickly and fully.
Timely Care, Healthier Smiles
Regular dental checkups and preventive hygiene help lower the risk of emergencies, but when the unexpected happens, timely care makes all the difference. By responding quickly to trauma, infection, or sudden dental pain, we relieve discomfort today while supporting long-term oral health and healthy development for the future.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in SE Calgary, call 403-873-1414 or visit us at Health Plus Building 200, 290 Midpark Way SE Calgary, Alberta T2X 1P1.
FAQs
What should I do if my child needs urgent dental attention?
Call our office right away. If it’s during clinic hours, we’ll see your child the same day whenever possible. For after-hours emergencies like a knocked-out tooth or severe trauma, call our office, Dr. Kari or an on-call colleague will provide care.
What is considered a pediatric dental emergency?
Knocked-out teeth, severe shifted teeth, fractures into the nerve of the tooth, tooth infections with swelling, and trauma to the jaw are all emergencies that should be seen immediately.
Can the ER help with child tooth pain?
Tooth pain is usually best managed in a dental office. However, you should go to the emergency department if the pain is severe and comes with symptoms like a high fever, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing. The Alberta Children’s Hospital always has a pediatric dentist on call for dental emergencies.
Where can I find emergency dental care near me?
BabyTooth in SE Calgary provides emergency dentistry for kids, including same-day appointments and on-call service through the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
