Thistlewood
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Urgent care for kids, Madison

Child dental emergency in Madison: what to do first, and when to call.

Children fall, bump and bite. If your child hurts a tooth, call us. Call by 3:00 pm on a weekday and we hold time for urgent cases. Below is what to do first, and when to skip us and call 911.

  • By 3:00 pmon a weekday for same-day help
  • First aidsteps for the first hour
  • 911for severe bleeding or a head injury
(608) 555-0129

Book a first visit

Four answers. Wes replies within one business day and tells you exactly what the visit will look like.

No newsletters, no sales calls. Prefer to talk? (608) 555-0129

The idea

Stay calm, because your child is watching you. Then check for anything serious, make the mouth safe and call us.

911

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if your child has:

  • Bleeding that does not slow after ten minutes of firm pressure
  • Swelling of the face, mouth or throat that is spreading
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • A head injury, a loss of consciousness, or confusion
  • A fever with swelling and your child seems very unwell

We are a dental office, not a hospital. For these, please do not call us first.

Scene 1

The first hour

What to do, step by step.

  1. 01

    Stay calm and comfort

    Sit your child down, speak softly and look at the mouth in good light.

  2. 02

    Rinse and clean gently

    Rinse with warm water. Use clean gauze to press on any bleeding for ten minutes.

  3. 03

    Use a cold compress

    Hold something cold against the cheek for fifteen minutes, then rest. Do not put heat on a swollen area.

  4. 04

    Save any tooth or piece

    Keep it in milk or a clean container. Do not scrub it. Bring it with you.

  5. 05

    Call us

    Tell us what happened, when, and where it hurts. We tell you whether to come in today and how to keep your child comfortable until then.

Common situations

Four things we are often asked about.

01

A knocked-out baby tooth

Do not push a baby tooth back in. Rinse the mouth, stop any bleeding and call us. Baby teeth are not re-inserted.

02

A knocked-out adult tooth

This is urgent. Handle it by the crown, not the root. If your child is old enough and it is clean, try placing it back gently; otherwise keep it in milk. Call us immediately.

03

A chipped or broken tooth

Rinse, save the piece and call. A sharp edge can cut the tongue, and a crack can reach the nerve.

04

A cut lip or tongue

Press with clean gauze and cold for ten minutes. If it will not stop, go to an emergency room.

Call or go

Dental office or emergency room?

SituationCall ThistlewoodCall 911 or go to an emergency room
Toothache without swellingToday if possibleNo
A chipped tooth, no bleedingToday or the next dayNo
A knocked-out adult toothRight awayYes, if there is also a head injury
Swelling in the gum onlyTodayIf it spreads to the eye, face or throat
Bleeding that will not stopNo, go to an emergency room firstYes

FAQ

Questions about kids dental emergencies

Still wondering? Call (608) 555-0129.

How fast can my child be seen?

If you call by 3:00 pm on a weekday we hold time for urgent cases. If our urgent times are taken, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then.

Do you answer calls at night?

No. We do not run an overnight line. Leave a message and we return it when we open. For severe bleeding, a swollen face or throat, trouble breathing or a head injury, call 911.

Is a toothache an emergency?

A toothache that wakes your child or comes with swelling should be seen the same day. A mild twinge can often wait a day or two. Call us and describe it.

What if it happens on a weekend?

We are closed most weekends, apart from family Saturday on the first Saturday of each month. Use first aid, and call us when we open. For anything severe, use 911 or an emergency room.

Will my child need treatment right away?

Not always. The goal of an urgent visit is to stop pain and protect the tooth. The dentist explains whether more care is needed and gives you a written estimate before it begins.

What if my child is scared?

Tell us when you call. We show every tool, go at your child pace and keep you beside the chair. Sedation, if suitable, is discussed at a visit, not promised over the phone.

Madison, Wisconsin

Ready for a calm first hello?

Tell us a little about your child. We reply within one business day, explain exactly what the visit will look like, and you stay in the room the whole time.

(608) 555-0129

Monday to Thursday8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday8:00 am to 2:00 pm
First Saturday of the month9:00 am to 1:00 pm, family Saturday
Other weekendsClosed

Book a first visit

Four answers. Wes replies within one business day and tells you exactly what the visit will look like.

No newsletters, no sales calls. Prefer to talk? (608) 555-0129

Call now Book a first visit