A child's dental emergency can be frightening for both the injured child and their parents. But with these helpful tips, parents can know how to assist with caring for their little ones. This article addresses various tooth injuries, oral cuts/bites, and toothaches.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your child faces a dental emergency, give us a call immediately! Our office number is 910-762-7736. We are here to help. Always remember, these tips are not a substitution for professional care, but are a set of generic recommended actions that can be taken until your child receives professional care for their unique situation. For serious bodily emergencies, call 911 or your child's pediatrician.
DENTAL EMERGENCIES ARE COMMON, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN.
Toddlers learning to walk can easily stumble into a coffee table, fireplace mantle, or any number of objects. Youths commonly have mishaps with sports. And anyone is susceptible to seasonal factors such as iced surfaces in the winter. Children have a lot of blood vessels in their developing mouths, and bleeding can be frightening for both the parent and the injured child. Below are some immediate actions that a parent can do to help their child.
FIRST, STAY CALM & ASSESS THE SITUATION.
Take note of your child's injury, determine the severity, and take photos. Photographs are exceptionally important for doctors. Document the situation as best as you can. If it is a dental emergency, call our office (910-762-7736) and send photos.
IS A BABY TOOTH INJURED?
Contact our office as soon as you can if the tooth is chipped or cracked, as we may be able to help. Apply a cold compress to the cheek to relieve pain and swelling. However, if the baby tooth is completely knocked out (missing), in most cases no treatment is required.
IS A PERMANENT (ADULT) TOOTH MISSING OR BROKEN?
This is very important: try to find the tooth, and then handle with extreme care. Do not touch the roots, which could damage the periodontal fibers. Do not try to clean the tooth with soap and water. Rather, place the tooth in a cup of milk. Contact our office as soon as possible, because there is a possibility that the tooth can be saved.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A BITE/CUT TO THEIR TONGUE, LIP, OR CHEEK?
Apply a cold compress immediately to the affected area. If the bleeding does not stop after pressure is applied with cloth or gauze, proceed to your pediatricianās office or nearest hospital emergency room.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A TOOTHACHE?
First, check to see whether food is lodged in the tooth with flossing and rinsing. Is the pain persisting? Unlike a headache, a toothache cannot be remedied with over-the-counter pain reliever medicine, as this can only provide temporary relief. If the tooth is abscessed, the infection around the root of the tooth must be treated by a dentist. Even if the affected tooth is a baby tooth, medical care is important so the nerves and surrounding teeth can be spared from further problems.
To ensure all your childrenās teeth are ready to SMILE all year long, be sure to visit Sunshine Childrenās Dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends oral checkups twice annually for children (and adults, too). QUESTIONS? We are a resource to you and are happy to answer any questions you may have about your childās changing smile. We believe that oral health should be FUN and something to SMILE about! f you ever need to reach us, our number is 910.762.7736.
For more helpful resources and fun activities, be sure to read our other Blog Articles.
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