You can caution your child to be as careful as possible. You can encourage them to brush and floss routinely. And you can insist that they wear their athletic mouthguard while playing sports. However, sometimes dental emergencies can still occur. It can be easy to panic during a dental emergency and feel like you have no control. Fortunately, these answers to some FAQs can help you before you and your child face a dental emergency!
What Qualifies as a Pediatric Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation or condition that interferes with the tooth’s structure and ability to function correctly. At the same time, a wide range of problems could qualify as dental emergencies. Typically, persistent bleeding or severe pain situations fall into common dental emergencies. There are some other situations that are considered dental emergencies:
- Chipped or Cracked Tooth
- Dental or Gum Abscess
- Loose or Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Should I Take My Child to the ER for a Toothache?
It’s common to wonder if you should take your child to the ER for a severe toothache or another dental emergency. But the ER for tooth pain is not the best option. Most ERs won’t have a general emergency dentist who can treat tooth pain or other dental issues. Instead, calling an emergency dentist near you is a better option to relieve your child’s tooth pain sooner! Shaenfield Pediatric Dentistry in San Antonio provides emergency dentistry for children.
How Can I Help My Child During a Dental Emergency?
The best way to help your child during a dental emergency is to remain calm, use your best judgment, contact an emergency dentist, and provide them as much comfort as possible. Applying a cold compress or collecting any missing tooth pieces that an emergency dentist can use for treatment can also help your child. We suggest keeping some emergency dental supplies in your first aid kit. This could include a small container you can use to transport a knocked-out tooth (in milk or saline solution), gauze, oral pain gel, dental floss, plastic tweezers, antimicrobial skin wipes and dental wax.
Pediatric Dental Care in San Antonio, TX
Keep our phone number in a handy place at home and in your phone contacts so you can contact us quickly in case of a dental emergency. Do you have other questions about pediatric dental care? Don’t hesitate to contact Shaenfield Pediatric Dentistry’s friendly team for answers. We also take the time to educate our young patients about the importance of good oral health during their routine appointments. Contact our office to schedule an appointment or to learn more!
