Pediatric Dental Emergencies You Should Be Prepared For
Whether you’re a first-time parent or not, seeing your child complain about discomfort would also make you anxious and concerned. Throughout your child’s life, you’ve witnessed their teeth grow. So seeing a toothache, a broken tooth, or other dental crisis can be very upsetting to you and your child. Dental emergencies can happen anywhere and anytime, which is why knowing what to do when these dental emergencies occur can help you big time.
Moreover, it’s important to note that if your child has lost consciousness or has signs of a concussion due to any dental trauma, taking your child to the emergency room is the best response.
Here’s a list of common dental emergencies, including the ways to handle them.
Knocked-out Baby Tooth
In most cases, a knocked-out tooth isn’t always an emergency; however, giving your pediatric dentist a call about it would significantly help. They will instruct you on how to address the situation properly.
What you should do:
- If it is a baby tooth, don’t try to put the tooth back in place. You can’t put baby teeth back in.
- Call your child’s pediatric dentist right away.
Knocked-out Permanent Tooth
In the event that one or more of your child’s permanent teeth are knocked out, this is a dental emergency.
What you should do:
- Check your youngster for other, more severe injuries first. A knocked-out permanent or “adult” tooth can be a secondary effect of head trauma in some situations. If necessary, call 911 after the evaluation.
- Handle the tooth only by the crown if you can locate it; make sure to avoid touching the root. At this point, the most important thing to remember is to keep the tooth moist. To keep it in place, bite down on a piece of gauze and have your child hold it there.
- Regardless of whether or not you can move the tooth, it still needs to be moistened. Place it in a milk or saline solution instead of water to avoid further damage.
- Go to your pediatric dentist’s office immediately if there are no signs of other injuries.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
If your child is active and loves playing sports and outside, it’s common for them to experience chipped teeth.
In the event of a chipped tooth, you’ll see that a small portion of the tooth has been removed, and the cause is typically evident. Because the tooth may appear entire at first glance, a broken or cracked tooth may be more difficult to identify.
What you should do:
- Apply a cold compress with gentle pressure to the affected area to assist reduce swelling and pain.
- Pay attention to the tooth since if there’s a change in your child’s tooth color, it could mean a severe dental issue.
- Visit your pediatric dental office as soon as possible.
Dental Avulsion
Dental avulsion happens when a person is hit in the mouth with a ball. It is a result of trauma.
What you should do:
- If you can find the fractured tooth, keep it with you and bring it to the dentist.
- Make sure to handle the tooth with care and avoid touching the roots. When you happen to touch the roots, it would be harder for your dentist to reattach the tooth.
- Moisture is also necessary for the tooth’s preservation, so you can place it in a glass of milk or saliva to aid in its preparation for reimplantation.
- Visit your dentist immediately.
Root Fracture
A root fracture occurs as a result of jaw trauma. However, it is much simpler to overlook because a root fracture is not visible.
What you should do:
- Take your child to your pediatric dentist for treatment.
- Your pediatric dentist will perform x-rays to ascertain the presence of a root fracture and will treat it appropriately.
Toothache
Symptoms of a toothache can range from slight to severe. Your child’s discomfort can be brought on by something as little as a piece of food lodged in their tooth. Whenever they complain of toothache, thoroughly rinse their mouth to remove any food or debris.
What you should do:
- Use dental floss to gently remove any piece of food stuck in your child’s mouth.
- If this isn’t the case, your youngster may have a cavity, abscess, or another condition. Contact your dentist for emergency care.
Note: Never put ice on your child’s teeth or gums, as it might burn the sensitive tissue.
Tooth Sensitivity
Have you noticed a sudden increase in your child’s sensitivity to hot or cold foods? If this is the case, there are numerous possibilities. If, for example, they feel a sharp pain when they bite into an uncomfortable food, they may have an injury or a cavity.
What you should do:
- It would be best to set an emergency visit with your dentist right away.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a painful infection that develops inside the root of a tooth. It forms a pus pocket that, if left untreated, can result in several health problems, including persistent toothache, tooth sensitivity, fever, pain when biting, swollen lymph nodes in the jaw, difficulty in breathing, and facial swelling.
What you should do:
- Take your child to your dental professional immediately.
- A professional dental evaluation can assist in determining the source of the abscess and the best course of treatment.
Contact Junior Smiles of Stafford to know more about dental emergencies
If your child ever faced a dental emergency, please do not hesitate to call the most reputable pediatric dentist for further information. We are here to help and want to make the experience as smooth as possible for you. Our team is experienced in handling dental emergencies and will work quickly to get you taken care of.
Why Choose Junior Smiles of Stafford?
Our Stafford, VA team is well-versed in working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. They’ll take the time to get to know you and your family’s requirements, and they’ll work with you to design a treatment plan that suits your schedule. Sealants and fluoride treatments are just two of the many preventative care options we provide to keep your mouth healthy.
About Us
Visiting Junior Smiles of Stafford means you’re in good hands when it comes to receiving high-quality care. Your child’s dental health improves with each visit, ensuring a brighter smile for years to come. We adhere to the ADA and AAPD’s guidelines for best practices.
Where Are We Located?
Phone: (540) 699-2441
Fax: (540) 699-2464
Email: info@juniorsmilesofstafford.com
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fridays and Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (By appointment only)
How to Book Your Kids First Appointment at Junior Smiles of Stafford
Fill out the form on our website. Within 24 hours, a member of our team will get back to you.