New Patient Special
Our Patient's Experiences
When Accidents Happen, We're Here to Help
Parents Stay Throughout Treatment
Dr. Knockum believes emergency care should still be a family experience. You'll stay with your child throughout their emergency treatment because your presence provides comfort during stressful situations.
Age-Appropriate Communication
Dr. Hayes adapts her communication to your child's developmental stage. Younger children might hear about "fixing the tooth" while older kids get honest explanations about what's happening and why treatment is necessary.
Immediate Comfort Measures
Before we begin any treatment, we focus on making your child comfortable. This might mean using our Tell, Show, Do approach to explain procedures, providing entertainment distractions, or using sedation options for anxious children.
Flexible Treatment Approaches
Some children handle emergencies remarkably well, while others need extra time and patience. We adjust our approach based on your child's individual needs, working in shorter intervals if necessary or providing additional comfort measures.
Common Dental Emergencies We Treat
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain in children can indicate anything from a simple cavity to a serious infection. We use gentle diagnostic techniques to quickly identify the source and provide immediate relief, often within the same appointment.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Whether it's a playground accident or a sports injury, we repair damaged teeth using child-friendly techniques. Sometimes a simple smoothing is all that's needed; other times we need to rebuild the tooth with tooth-colored materials.
Knocked-Out or Lost Teeth
Time is critical with knocked-out teeth. If it's a permanent tooth, we might be able to save it with quick action. For baby teeth, we focus on managing pain and ensuring proper healing for the permanent tooth underneath.
Dental Abscess or Swelling
Infections can be serious and require prompt treatment. We address the infection while managing your child's pain, using sedation options when needed to ensure they stay comfortable during treatment.
Sports or Playground Injuries
From split lips to damaged teeth, playground and sports accidents are common. We provide comprehensive care for oral injuries, working with your child's comfort level throughout treatment.
What To Do In A Dental Emergency
Stay Calm for Your Child
Children look to parents for cues about how to react. Dr. Hayes reminds parents that staying calm helps your child feel safer and more secure during a scary situation.
Call Us Immediately
Our team provides guidance over the phone and can often give you specific instructions for your child's situation while you're on your way to the office.
Handle Injuries Carefully
For knocked-out teeth, handle by the crown (white part) only, rinse gently if dirty, and store in milk or saline solution. For broken teeth, save any pieces you can find.
Manage Pain Appropriately
Age-appropriate over-the-counter pain medication can help, but avoid anything that might mask important symptoms before we can examine your child.
Meet Our Experienced Doctors
Dr. Brandon Knockum
Dr. Crystal Hayes
Why Families Trust Us for Emergency Care
Specialized Pediatric Training
Both doctors understand that children aren't just small adults—they have different physiological responses to trauma and pain. Our pediatric-specific training helps us provide appropriate care for developing teeth and growing jaws.
Experience with Complex Cases
Dr. Knockum's hospital background included treating children with severe dental trauma and complex medical conditions. This experience means we're comfortable handling serious emergencies that might overwhelm other practices.
Child-Friendly Environment
Even during emergencies, our office maintains its welcoming atmosphere. Treatment rooms have entertainment options, and our team knows how to keep children distracted and comfortable during stressful procedures.
Comprehensive Care Options
From simple repairs to complex trauma requiring sedation, we have the tools and expertise to handle emergencies completely in our office, avoiding the need for multiple referrals during crisis situations.
After Emergency Treatment
Follow-Up Care
We monitor healing progress and ensure your child's emergency treatment is successful. Sometimes additional appointments are needed as swelling reduces or as we can see the full extent of damage more clearly.
Prevention Education
We use emergency visits as teaching opportunities, helping families understand how to prevent similar injuries while being realistic about the fact that accidents happen with active children.
Building Positive Associations
Even after emergency treatment, we work to ensure your child doesn't develop lasting fear of dental care. Dr. Hayes focuses on helping children feel proud of how brave they were during treatment.
Why People Love Hampstead Pediatric Dentistry
Care Close to Home
Trusted Expertise
13 and 15 years of experience treating everyone from infants to special needs children with patience and understanding.
Individual Approach
Family-Centered Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Will emergency treatment affect my child's permanent teeth?
We always consider how emergency treatment might impact developing permanent teeth. Sometimes we modify our approach to protect permanent teeth that are still forming, even if it means different treatment than we'd provide for adults.
What if my child is too upset to cooperate during emergency treatment?
We're experienced with scared, hurt children. Sometimes the kindest approach is gentle restraint or sedation to provide necessary care quickly. We always work with your child's comfort level while prioritizing their health and safety.
How can I prevent dental emergencies?
Regular checkups help us identify weak teeth that might break easily. Sports mouthguards, avoiding hard foods and objects, and childproofing can prevent many accidents, though some emergencies are simply part of childhood.
Do you treat children with special needs during emergencies?
Absolutely. Dr. Hayes has experience creating treatment approaches that work within each child's abilities. Emergency situations don't change our commitment to serving all children in our community.
What should I do if my child's emergency happens after hours?
Call our office number—we provide after-hours guidance for managing pain and protecting injured areas until we can see your child. For life-threatening situations, go directly to the emergency room.
What pain medication can I give my child before the appointment?
Age-appropriate over-the-counter pain medication is usually fine, but call us first if possible. We need to know what you've given and when to provide safe additional pain management.
Is sedation safe during emergency procedures?
Yes, both doctors are extensively trained in pediatric sedation techniques. Emergency procedures can be traumatic, and sedation often helps children receive necessary care more comfortably.
What constitutes a dental emergency for children?
Severe pain, knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, facial swelling, or uncontrolled bleeding require immediate attention. When in doubt, call us—we'd rather evaluate something minor than have you worry overnight.
How quickly should I bring my child in after an injury?
Contact us immediately for any dental emergency. For knocked-out permanent teeth, every minute counts. Even for less urgent issues, prompt care often leads to simpler treatment and better outcomes.
Will my insurance cover emergency dental care?
Most dental insurance plans cover emergency treatments. Our team helps verify coverage and provides clear cost information, but we never let insurance questions delay necessary emergency care.
Insurance Accepted
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