Instant relief when accidents or sudden tooth pain happen. Our pediatric dental emergency care provides fast, gentle treatment to ease pain and protect your child’s smile with comfort and precision.
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90% less radiation than traditional X-rays for your child's safety
Safe nitrous oxide and sedation options for anxious children.
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Reserved emergency slots available every day for urgent care. We speak Spanish and Farsi.
When your child knocks out a tooth, wakes up with a swollen jaw, or cannot stop crying from a toothache, it can feel frightening, and you want help fast. Knowing what counts as a dental emergency, what to do in the first few minutes, and when to call the dentist can make a real difference in how things turn out.
At Kidz Modern Dentistry in Laguna Niguel, Dr. Lida Pishbin and Dr. Solmaz Shir make every effort to see children with urgent dental problems the same day. The team works quickly and calmly to relieve pain, protect the tooth, and explain what to watch for at home.
Real families sharing their experiences with our pediatric dental care.
A dental emergency is any situation involving sudden pain, an injury to the teeth or mouth, infection, bleeding that will not stop, or swelling of the face. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry considers timely access to emergency care an important part of a child’s dental home.
The most common emergencies in children are knocked-out, chipped, or loosened teeth from falls and sports, toothaches from deep cavities, and infections that cause swelling. Cuts to the lips, gums, or tongue often come along with these injuries. If bleeding does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of gentle pressure, or a cut looks deep, your child should be seen promptly.
For families coming from communities like Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, or Laguna Hills, all appointments take place at the Laguna Niguel office on La Paz Road.
A knocked-out permanent tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. The sooner your child is seen, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes, the better the chance the tooth can be put back and saved.
For a knocked-out adult tooth:
Baby teeth are different. A knocked-out baby tooth is generally not put back in, because doing so can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Keep the tooth in a clean container and call the office so the dentist can check for other injuries.
If a baby tooth is lost early, the dentist may recommend space maintainers to keep room for the permanent tooth.
Chipped teeth are one of the most common calls after a playground fall or a hit during sports. A small chip in the outer enamel may not hurt, but sharp edges can cut the tongue or cheek. A deeper break that reaches the inner layers of the tooth can cause sensitivity or pain and carries a higher risk of infection.
Some breaks happen below the gumline and cannot be seen without an x-ray, so even a chip that looks minor should be checked within a day or two.
Right after the injury:
Rinse your child’s mouth gently with warm water
Save any broken pieces in a clean container with milk
Press clean gauze on any bleeding for 10 to 15 minutes
Hold a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling
Call the office to arrange a same-day visit if possible
Small chips can often be smoothed or repaired with a tooth-colored filling, while deeper breaks may need a crown to protect the tooth.
Slots for emergency dental visits available today. Don't let your child's dental pain wait. Call or text us now!
Tooth pain in a child should never just be waited out. The most common cause is a cavity that has grown deep into the tooth. Other causes include food stuck between the teeth, gum irritation, new teeth coming in, and grinding at night.
Seek same-day care if the pain is severe, has lasted more than a day or two, keeps your child from eating or sleeping, or comes with fever or swelling. These signs can point to an infection that needs treatment quickly.
Age-appropriate children’s pain relief can help until you are seen, but never place aspirin on the tooth or gums, since it can burn the tissue. When decay has reached the nerve, pulp therapy can often relieve the pain and save the tooth.
Swelling in the face, cheek, or jaw that is linked to a tooth is always a reason for urgent care. A dental abscess, a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth, can cause pain, swelling, and fever, and in children an infection can spread quickly.
Watch for swelling of the face, jaw, or neck, fever, swollen glands, or a child who seems generally unwell, and call the office right away. If swelling makes it hard for your child to swallow or breathe, go to the emergency room without delay.
The dentist will treat the source of the infection, which may involve pulp therapy or a tooth extraction, and may prescribe antibiotics when needed.
Yes. Baby teeth eventually fall out, but they hold space for the permanent teeth, help children chew and speak, and sit right above the adult teeth developing in the jaw. An injury or infection in a baby tooth can sometimes affect the permanent tooth underneath.
Whether a baby tooth is knocked out, pushed out of place, loosened, or broken, have it checked. The dentist will look at the type of injury, your child’s age, and how close the tooth is to falling out naturally before recommending treatment.
Many emergencies can be prevented. Regular checkups catch cavities before they turn painful, and a custom sports mouthguard helps protect your child’s teeth during contact sports.
Pediatric Dentist & Practice Owner
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Diplomate by American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentist & Practice Owner
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Diplomate by American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry
Kidz Modern Dentistry works with most major dental insurance plans, and the team verifies your benefits so you know what to expect. Coverage for emergency visits and follow-up treatment varies by plan. For families without dental insurance, the KMD Total Care membership plans are available as an alternative. The plan details are listed further down this page. If your child has a dental emergency, contact our Laguna Niguel office by phone right away.
Experience total freedom in your child’s dental care. Our membership removes the barriers found in traditional insurance — no caps, no delays, and no denials. Review the benefits and exclusions to see how effortless care can be.
Common questions parents ask, answered by our pediatric dental experts.
Signs that a dental problem needs same-day attention include severe or worsening pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication, any swelling of the face, jaw, or neck, a tooth that has been knocked out or is very loose after trauma, visible infection or pus, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and fever alongside tooth pain. If you are uncertain, it is always appropriate to call a pediatric dental office and describe the situation. A trained team member can help you determine the urgency of the situation.
The AAPD notes that availability of emergency care during and after office hours is an important aspect of a dental home. [1] When you establish care with a pediatric dentist, ask about their after-hours emergency protocol. Many practices provide an emergency contact number for patients of record. If you cannot reach your regular dentist and the situation involves severe swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or uncontrolled bleeding, seek care at an emergency room.
Age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (following the dosing instructions for your child's weight and age) can help manage discomfort temporarily while you arrange to see a dentist. Never place aspirin directly on a tooth or gum tissue, as this can cause a chemical burn to the soft tissue. Always confirm dosing instructions with a pharmacist or your child's pediatrician if you have any questions.
Not every child or every emergency procedure requires sedation. For simple interventions like smoothing a chipped tooth, a brief exam, or a minor repair, many children can be treated comfortably without sedation. For more complex procedures, or for children who experience significant anxiety, your dentist will discuss appropriate comfort options with you. The goal is always to complete necessary care as safely and comfortably as possible.
No. Attempting to reimplant a baby tooth at home is not recommended. As noted by the AAPD and the IADT guidelines, primary teeth are generally not reimplanted because of the risk of disturbing the permanent tooth bud developing beneath them. Instead, preserve the tooth in a clean container and bring it with you to the dental appointment so the dentist can assess it and determine whether any follow-up care is needed. [4]
Even a chip that is not currently causing pain should be evaluated within 24 to 48 hours. The sharp edge can cut the tongue or cheek, the underlying dentin may be more sensitive than it appears, and without professional assessment you cannot rule out a hairline fracture or root involvement. Call your dentist to arrange a prompt evaluation.
When a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected due to injury, infection, or extraction, the neighboring teeth can drift into the open space. This can block or redirect the path of the incoming permanent tooth. A space maintainer is a custom device placed by a dentist to hold that space open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Your dentist will advise whether one is appropriate based on the tooth involved and your child's developmental stage.
Longer reads from our pediatric dental team, for parents who want the detail behind the visit.
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Read More: Dental Emergencies in Kids: What Parents Need to Know (And How We’re Always Ready to Help)
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Read More: Should I Worry If My Child Has Gaps Between Their Baby Teeth?
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Read More: Why Are My Child’s Adult Teeth Coming in Behind the Baby Teeth?Slots for emergency dental visits available today. Don't let your child's dental pain wait. Call or text us now!
We serve families from Southern Orange County, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and surrounding communities with comprehensive pediatric dental care.
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
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