Dental emergencies tend to happen when you least expect it. Whether your child loses a tooth, cracks a tooth, or bites their cheek, it’s important that you, as their parent, know what to do. The time to prepare is now. That way, you can act confidently when an emergency does occur. If your child has a pediatric dentist who you trust, you’re already a step ahead. Here are the other things that are important to know about dental emergencies.
Dealing With a Knocked-Out Tooth
Having your child knock out a tooth can be scary. The good news is that your pediatric dentist can often put a lost tooth back into place if the tooth has been properly handled. If you’re able to find the tooth, you should immediately place it in a cup of milk. This will keep it moist and healthy on your way to the dentist.
Do call your child’s dentist immediately if your child has knocked out a tooth. Time is of the essence. If your child’s dental office is closed, call your nearest emergency dentist. Chances are, they’ll want to see you right away.
On the way to the dentist, you can have your child gently bite down on some gauze or cloth to minimize the bleeding. Ask the dentist if it is okay to give them a dose of ibuprofen to help keep them comfortable, too.
Handling a Cracked Tooth
What if your child doesn’t knock a tooth out, but instead cracks it? You should still call your pediatric dentist right away. They’ll typically ask you a few questions about the crack and determine how quickly they need to see your child. For more serious and painful cracks, they’ll likely want to see your child immediately. Smaller, more shallow cracks can wait a day or two to be treated. However, you should always let your child’s dentist be the one who decides how quickly they need care.
Cracked teeth often cause some discomfort and soreness in the jaw. To help ease this soreness, have your child hold an ice pack or a bag of frozen veggies against their face.
When Should You Go to The Emergency Room?
It’s common for cracked teeth and lost teeth to occur in conjunction with other facial injuries. For example, if your child gets hit in the face with a ball, they may crack a tooth and experience lacerations on their cheek. If the cuts are minor, your dentist can often assess and treat them while treating the tooth. However, if your child is bleeding and their injuries look like they extend past the cheek or gum tissue, it’s a good idea to head to the emergency room. If needed, they may refer you to your dentist or to an emergency dentist in the area.
How Can You Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Sometimes, dental emergencies just happen. There is nothing you can do to prevent them entirely. However, here are some important steps you can take to reduce your child’s risk of suffering a cracked or broken tooth, or any other type of dental emergency.
Wear a Mouthguard
If your child plays sports, make sure they have a property fitted, sports mouthguard. Make sure they understand the importance of wearing it. Ask their coach to check that they wear it for every practice and game.
Avoid Opening Things With Teeth
Kids will often try to open packages or bags with their teeth. This is a common way to crack a tooth! Teach your kids not to do this, and set a good example by never opening packages with your own teeth, either. Similarly, make sure your kids never carry anything around in their mouths.
Block Stairways
It’s common for kids to break or lose teeth when they fall down stairs. So, if you have stairs in your home, keep them blocked off with a gate. Consider bringing a portable gate with you to friends’ houses to block off stairs while your child is there, too.
If your child has a dental emergency, follow the advice above, and call your pediatric dentist ASAP. If you’re looking for a new pediatric dentist in the Kansas City area, contact Pediatric Dental Specialists, PA. We offer emergency care along with preventive care, orthodontics, and more for your child.
