Dealing With Kid’s Dental Emergencies

10 Apr Dealing With Kid’s Dental Emergencies

Posted at 13:15h in Blog, emergency, Services by Kash Mughal

Kids are always on the go. Be it sports activities, ‘causal’ rough-housing, or just playing in the backyard, there are numerous scenarios where they may fall and damage a tooth. Sometimes, these minor injuries can be handled by taking pain medicine or applying ice. But other dental emergencies are more significant- a knocked-out, chipped, or cracked tooth or a suddenly loose one. Fortunately, if you, as a parent, have some knowledge and take quick action, the dental emergencies problem can be handled without long-lasting results. Your role in these situations is crucial, and your quick thinking can prevent further damage.

Three Common Dental Emergencies for Kids

Toothaches

Not every toothache means a severe dental injury has happened. A toothache can be the result of a yet undetected cavity, bruxism (teeth grinding), wisdom teeth erupting (typically in older teens), dental trauma, or even a minute fracture. There are several ways to deal with the urgent dental pain.

Place a cold compress.
Gently floss the area to ensure that the pain is not caused by debris or food that may be caught.
Have them rinse their mouth with warm salt water
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever
Do Not apply an aspirin! This can make the gum tissue burn!

If these actions are ineffective, call us to schedule an appointment.

Knocked-out teeth

This is a dental emergency where quick action is best, especially if it is not a baby tooth! If a baby tooth is knocked out, endeavor to find the tooth, keep it as moist as possible, and call our office. However, if a permanent tooth is knocked out, this is considered a critical dental situation, and the following should be done:

Control any bleeding. If you can’t stop the bleeding, head to the emergency room.
Locate the tooth. If you can find it, pick it up carefully, avoiding touching the tooth’s root. Rinse it gently with water only.
Once it is clean, carefully re-insert it into the tooth socket, ensuring it is root side down and facing the correct direction.
Have your child bite down gently into gauze to hold the tooth in place until you get to our office.
If you cannot reset the tooth, keep it moist until you can get to the office. If possible, put the tooth in cold milk. If milk is not available, then a damp cloth will work.
If the tooth cannot be found, we can determine the next step to prevent additional problems.

Chipped or fractured Teeth

These concerns can often be repaired with a tooth =-colored filling or dental bonding. However, a dental crown may be needed if the damage is more serious. While a chipped or fractured tooth
may not be as intense as an immediate dental issue like knocked-out tooth, it is still important to act quickly.

Get the bleeding, if any, under control.
Rinse the mouth with warm water to be sure there are no lingering pieces of the tooth. If you find any fragments, bring them with you to the appointment.
Place a cold compress on the injured area.
Get to our office ASAP.

Kids are going to play hard, and as such, there is always the potential for injury. But knowing what to do in a situation will make a difference. Keep your cool. Follow these tips; remember, our Emergency Pediatric dentist team is always here to help. We are just a call away, ready to provide the support and guidance you need to keep you and your child smiling.