Pediatric Dental Emergencies
If you face a dental emergency, give us a call immediately. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our emergency number. We are always here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk. Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations. You may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.
Bitten Lip or Tongue
If your child has bitten their lip or tongue enough to cause bleeding, apply firm pressue with a towel or washcloth. Firm pressure for 5 to 10 minutes will help decrease or stop the bleeding. The mouth is very vascular which means it can bleed very easily, however it also heals very quickly. If bleeing persists or you have questions, please contact our office or visit the nearst emergency room.
Object Caught In Teeth
If your child has something caught between their teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth
If your child breaks a tooth and it is causing sensitivity please contact the office for guidance. Taking a photo of the injured tooth will help the dental provider determine the course of treatment. A permanent tooth that is fractured with nerve exposure requires immediate dental care.
Knocked Out Tooth
If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, first find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it looks good, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk, NOT water. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
If your child knocks out a baby tooth, the tooth SHOULD NOT be replanted due to possible damage to the developing permanent tooth. In most cases, no treatment is necessary.
Contact the office as soon as possible for more guidance.
Loose Tooth
There are several reasons a tooth could be loose. Baby teeth begin falling out around age 6 as the permament teeth start to erupt. A dental infection or an abscess could also cause a tooth to become mobile. Trauma to the mouth could displace teeth which causes mobility. If you are unsure why a tooth is loose please contact the dental office for more guidance.
Toothache
If your child complains of a toothache, rinse their mouth with warm water and floss the teeth to clean any debris or food impaction. Inspect the soft tissue around the tooth for areas of ulceration. Sometimes "canker sores" or ulcers mimc tooth pain for kids. The most common toothache typically result from untreated cavities. Occalsionally, large restorations may cause the nerve to become sensitive. Over the counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol are very effective in reducing pain and discomfort. Pain from a tooth that wakes your child from sleeping or lingers for long periods of time requires immedaite denal care.
Broken Jaw
If you know or suspect your child has sustained a broken jaw, use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Minimize jaw movement and call our emergency number and/or head to the hospital immediately for furher evaluation.
Avoiding Injury
You can help your child avoid dental emergencies. Child-proof your house to avoid falls. Don't let your child chew on ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard foods. Always use car seats for young children and require seat belts for older children. And if your child plays contact sports, have them wear a mouthguard. Ask us about creating a custom-fitted mouthguard for your child. Finally, prevent toothaches with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to our office.
