Pediatric dental emergencies can happen at the most unexpected and inconvenient of times so it’s important to become aware of what to do beforehand. Here, we’ll explain how to handle a number of common dental emergencies so you can be prepared for any situation.
- Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
- Bitten Tongue or Lip
- Cracked Tooth
- Object Stuck in Mouth or Teeth
- Toothache
- Broken Jaw
If your child’s knocked-out tooth is an adult tooth, handle it only by its chewing surface and keep it moist at all times by placing it in milk or a tooth preservation product approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Next, call our San Antonio dental office right away and arrive within the hour, but preferably within 15-30 minutes after the injury. The sooner your child is seen by Dr. Wilkerson, the sooner their tooth can be saved.
After cleaning the area gently with water, apply a cold compress to keep swelling at bay. Then, call us or go to an urgent care center depending upon how bad the bite is.
If your child cracks their tooth, immediately wash out their mouth with 1 cup warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt to clean the area. Apply a cold compress to their cheek if they have any pain or swelling. Call us immediately for an appointment as soon as possible. Until their appointment, encourage your child to chew on the opposite side of the injury and to avoid foods and beverages that are very hot or very cold, as they may experience some tooth sensitivity.
This one may sound far-fetched, but it happens! If your child gets an object stuck in their teeth, try to gently remove the object with floss. Never use a sharp instrument or you could cause serious damage. If you can’t remove it, go to the urgent care as soon as possible.
If your child has a bad toothache, clean their mouth out by having them rinse with 1 cup warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt. Then, gently floss between their teeth in order to dislodge any food particles left there. If the pain is severe, call our office since they could have untreated tooth decay or an infection.
If you think your child’s jaw is broken, apply a cold compress to their face to keep the swelling down. Then, head to the emergency room immediately so they can be examined.
Preventive Measures
To help prevent your child’s likelihood of having a dental emergency, there are a few things you can do:
- Have your child wear an athletic mouthguard when they are playing sports.
- Teach them how to safely use scissors and that they should never use their teeth to open anything.
- Supervise children while they’re playing, especially on playground equipment, and make sure they never run around with objects in their mouth.
- In your home, reduce any trip hazards, like loose rugs and cords.
If you have any other questions about what to do in dental emergencies, contact us today!
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