When a child experiences a dental emergency, parents may not know what steps to take to safeguard their smile and their oral health. For most childhood dental emergencies, there are actions parents can take at home to comfort their children and promote a positive outcome.
This blog explains five of the most common childhood dental emergencies and shares ways for parents to provide care at home.
Seek Care As Soon As Possible
No matter what accident or injury occurs, call your pediatric dentist or emergency roomWhat to Do in a Dental Emergencyimmediately. Timing is everything when addressing an oral injury or damaged tooth.
1. Knocked-Out Teeth
If your child knocks out a baby tooth, check for signs of oral injuries. If possible, save the tooth and bring it with you to the dentist. While dentists cannot replant lost primary teeth, they will want to check for damage to adjacent or emerging teeth, gums, and oral tissues.
If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, the potential to save it depends on how quickly they receive dental attention. Save the tooth to bring with you. Rinse it gently under lukewarm water while holding it only by the crown. Save the tooth in a small cup of milk or a tooth-preservation product with the ADA seal. Arriving at the dentist within 30 minutes is ideal, but do not lose hope if it takes longer.
2. Cracked and Broken Teeth
If a child's tooth breaks, save the pieces if you can. For broken and cracked teeth, rinse the mouth with warm water. Seeing a dentist as soon as possible will help prevent infection and further damage.
3. Toothache
Use a warm-water rinse to clean the mouth. Carefully floss the child's teeth to remove any stuck objects or food particles.
Apply cold compresses to the outside of the cheek to control pain and swelling. Avoid putting aspirin on the toothache, as this method could burn the sensitive gums.
See your pediatric dentist as soon as possible to detect and treat infections, abscesses, and decay.
4. Object Stuck in Mouth or Between Teeth
Use floss to clean between the teeth. Never use a sharp object to remove something stuck between the teeth.
5. Facial Trauma
Children who suffer facial trauma should immediately go to the emergency room. Any heavy bleeding, possible broken bones, swelling, or bruising needs medical attention.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
- Have your child wear a mouthguard when playing sports
- Do not permit your child to move around with an object like a lollipop in their mouth
- Teach your child not to chew non-food objects or bite hard candies
- Use baby gates on stairs
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies
Is a child's toothache always an emergency?
While a dull toothache may be able to wait for an appointment during business hours, seek care as soon as possible.
What should I do if my child has broken facial bones?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
Call Attleboro Pediatric Dentistry
If your child needs emergency dental care, we can help. Please call our Attleboro office at 508-409-6160. We can see your child during or after office hours. Remember our preventive tips listed above to safeguard your child's oral health.