Children’s Dental Emergencies
While you may do whatever you can to help your child develop good dental hygiene habits and you ensure that they have regular dental checkups, there are still opportunities for accidents and emergencies to arise. Here are the ten most common problems and the best steps to take in those situations.
- Cheek, Lip, or Tongue Bite or Cut - We all know the pain and shock of biting down on our cheek accidentally, but in most cases it does not cause serious damage. In order to determine the seriousness of the bite or cut, you will need to try to clean the area with warm water. A cold compress will help keep swelling down and gauze can help the child from swallowing blood. If the bleeding does not slow, then its time to call the dentist for help.
- Knocked Out Baby Tooth - Most of the time, a lost baby tooth is not a huge deal. If you are concerned, save the baby tooth and bring it to the emergency dental appointment.
- Knocked Out Permanent Tooth - If a permanent tooth or teeth are knocked out in a child or an adult, it is a dental emergency. Try to save the tooth by only touching the crown of the tooth and avoiding the root area. If you were able to locate the tooth, keep it moist with milk, water, or saline. If you are able to place the tooth back into the socket, then try to keep it there until you reach the dentist. There may be additional injuries or damage so be careful to check the inside of the mouth and the rest of the head for other issues.
- Possible Broken Jaw - This kind of injury requires extreme caution and a gentle application of a cold pack before the physician or dentist perform emergency care.
- Serious Head Injury - Head to the closest emergency room as soon as possible; a dentist will not be able to address all the problems that can come with a blow to the head.
- Painful Toothache - A toothache can indicate a variety of problems ranging from a minor piece of food stuck or a more serious possible cavity. If you notice swelling, a cold compress can help control that.
- Sensitive Teeth - If your child is experiencing a sudden sensitivity to hot or cold on their teeth, then an injury to their teeth or a cavity could be to blame. If something has affected their enamel, then their teeth are no longer protected a s well. Only a dentist will be able to diagnose the cause of their sensitive teeth.
- Object Stuck In Mouth - If you can, using floss to try and remove the foreign object may help you avoid a trip to the dentist.
- Loose or Lost Filling - It is necessary to schedule an appointment right away so the dentist can seal the tooth and prevent any additional damage.
- Abscess Tooth - An abscess in their mouth means they have an infection that needs treatment. Symptoms can include fever, swelling, pain, and tooth sensitivity. A dentist will need to determine the location of the infection and the best course of treatment for it.