15 Jan Dealing With Kid’s Dental Emergencies
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.
Dental Emergencies – Additional Links
10 Kids’ Emergencies and What to Do Right Away
Dental Emergencies: What Parents Need to Know
Handling Your Child’s Dental Emergency