Emergencies & alternative services

Children's Dental Emergencies & Sedation in Greenville, MS

Q: My child has a toothache — what can I do before the appointment?

Rinse with warm salt water to clear trapped food and gently clean around the tooth. Use a cold compress on the face for swelling and acetaminophen for pain. Don't put aspirin on the tooth or gum. Call us to be seen as soon as possible.

Below is what to do in common situations until you can reach us — plus the sedation and hospital options we offer for extra comfort.

Dental emergency?

Call us right away. For an after-hours emergency, call the office and follow the instructions for reaching one of our providers. For a life-threatening injury — including a possible broken jaw — go to the nearest emergency room.

(662) 334-9337

What to do in a dental emergency

Act within the hour

Knocked-out permanent tooth

Pick up the tooth by the crown (top), not the root. Rinse gently — don't scrub. If you can, reinsert it into the socket and hold it with clean gauze. If not, transport it in a cup of milk or water. See one of our providers immediately.

Toothache

Clean gently around the tooth and rinse with warm salt water. Use a cold compress on the face for swelling and acetaminophen for pain. Never place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum. See us as soon as possible.

Broken tooth

Rinse the area with warm water and place a cold compress over the face near the injury. Save any broken fragments and call our office immediately for an appointment.

Cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek

Apply ice to bruised areas. For bleeding, use firm but gentle pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes, go to the emergency room.

Bleeding after a baby tooth falls out

Fold a piece of gauze and place it tightly over the area, then have your child bite down for 15 minutes. If bleeding continues, see one of our providers

Broken braces or wires

Remove a broken appliance only if it comes out easily. If it's lodged or painful, cover sharp edges with orthodontic wax, a cotton ball, or gauze. Do not cut a wire stuck in the gum, cheek, or tongue — see a dentist.

Cold sores or canker sores

Over-the-counter medications usually provide temporary relief. If sores persist, schedule a visit so we can take a closer look.

Medical emergency

Possible broken jaw

Gently tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie, or handkerchief and go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Young patient relaxed in the dental chair wearing a nitrous oxide mask during sedation

Alternative services

Sedation & hospital dentistry

Some children need a little extra help to get comfortable, safe care — and we offer several options beyond the standard chairside visit.

Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”)

For children who are anxious, very young, or have trouble sitting still, nitrous oxide and oxygen is a safe, gentle form of sedation that helps your child relax while staying fully awake and breathing on their own.

✓Your child stays alert, responsive, and breathes on their own.
✓They breathe in more oxygen than normal room air — a wide margin of safety.
✓It's delivered through a small mask over the nose; treatment feels more comfortable.
✓We may ask that your child not eat or drink before the appointment.
✓At the end, your child breathes oxygen to clear the gas and leaves awake and relaxed.

Hospital Dentistry

For very young children, children with special healthcare needs, or those who need extensive treatment they can't comfortably tolerate in the office, Dr. Quinton and Dr. Gant provide dental care in a hospital setting. This form of hospital dentistry, also known as general anesthesia, allows them to complete all needed treatment safely in a single, controlled setting. Care is regularly delivered at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville and North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville.

Delta Regional · Greenville North Sunflower · Ruleville

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Act fast — ideally within an hour. Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently without scrubbing, and try to reinsert it into the socket, holding it with clean gauze. If you can’t reinsert it, place it in milk or water and bring it with you. Then see us immediately.

Rinse with warm salt water to clear any trapped food and gently clean around the tooth. Use a cold compress on the face for swelling and acetaminophen for pain. Don’t put aspirin on the tooth or gum. Call us to be seen as soon as possible.

Yes. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest forms of sedation for kids. Your child stays awake, alert, and breathing on their own, and breathes extra oxygen the whole time. The effects wear off quickly once we switch to pure oxygen at the end of the visit.

A knocked-out or broken tooth, a severe toothache, uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling, or a possible jaw injury all warrant prompt care. For a possible broken jaw or any life-threatening injury, go straight to the emergency room.

Hospital-based care is helpful for very young children, children with special healthcare needs, or kids who need extensive treatment they can’t comfortably complete in the office. It lets us do everything safely in one controlled setting.

Call our office at (662) 334-9337 and follow the instructions for reaching Dr. Quinton after hours.

When it matters, we're here for your family

Save our number so you're ready if your child ever needs us.

Call (662) 334-9337