Our Services

Emergency Services

What To Do In Case Of An Emergency

Call our office as soon as possible, even if it is after our normal hours of operation. Even if you already have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us of the emergency.


Knocked Out Tooth
  • Permanent Teeth:
    Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not by the root end. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Re-insert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be re-implanted, place it in a canister of Save-A-Tooth, if available, or carry it in a cup containing milk or water. Call our office immediately because time is critical in this situation.
  • Primary (Baby) Teeth:
    DO NOT re-implant a primary tooth that has been knocked out! Contact your dentist immediately. Dr. Purvis will want to evaluate the area of trauma to verify there are no other complications, but in many cases, no further treatment is necessary.

Broken Tooth

Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the area of the injury. Call our office for immediate dental attention. Recover any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you. Dr. Purvis may, in many cases, be able to use the tooth fragments to repair the broken tooth.


Intruded Primary Tooth

Call our office as soon as possible when a tooth is pushed up into the gums. In most cases, the tooth is allowed to re-emerge and will often return to its original position. However, occasionally the tooth will not and removal of the tooth may be necessary.


Intruded Permanent Tooth

When this happens, call our office as soon as possible. In the case of immature permanent teeth, the tooth is allowed to re-emerge and will often return to its original position. Mature permanent teeth have to be repositioned surgically and splinted for 2-4 weeks.


Tooth Ache

Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth meticulously. Using warm salt water, rinse the mouth to displace any food trapped between teeth. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you use aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum. In the event of facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Should swelling of the face be present, place a cold compress in the area of the swelling. See Dr. Purvis as soon as possible.


Cut or Bitten Cheek, Lip or Tongue

Ice can be applied to any bruised areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, contact our office immediately or go to an emergency room.


Cold Sores (Fever Blister)

The primary infection may not have a cold sore that appears. Your child may develop a very high fever (102-104 degrees) and have severely swollen gums. Over-the-counter medications will usually provide temporary relief. If sores persist or recur, call and make an appointment.