Dental emergencies can happen to patients of all ages, but a child’s risk increases if they have poor oral hygiene and/or participate in physical activities that involve potential contact with the ground, other participants, and equipment. In this post, we give tips on how to handle a toothache, knocked-out permanent tooth, a cracked or chipped tooth, and a bitten tongue or lip.
- Toothache
- Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
- Chipped or Cracked Tooth
- Bitten Tongue or Lip
If your child is experiencing a toothache, they should first brush and gently floss their teeth to dislodge any food particles or debris. Then have them rinse several times with warm salty water for 30 seconds each round to further clean their mouth out. Call us if their pain persists. They may have a severe cavity or infection that requires treatment!
Sometimes all it takes is–POW–an elbow or a ball to the face and your child’s tooth is on the ground. If it’s an adult tooth, handle it only by the chewing surface and gently rinse off any debris. Keep it moist by placing it in milk or a tooth preservation product approved by the ADA. Then call us and get to our office as soon as possible! The sooner we see your child, the more likely we can re-attach their tooth. To help prevent another knocked-out tooth, address trip hazards in your home like cords and rugs and get your child fitted with a custom athletic mouthguard if they play sports.
Collect any pieces of your child’s chipped tooth, as they might be bonded back. Though you may assume a chip is only a cosmetic issue, we still recommend visiting us soon since a crack could’ve accompanied the chip. Persistent tooth pain or sudden sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages indicate damage that needs to be professionally addressed. If you suspect your child has a cracked tooth, have them rinse their mouth with warm salty water to clean the area, then call us.
If your child bites their tongue or their teeth break through their lip, clean the area with water. Stanch any bleeding with non-woven gauze, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. Then you may need to take your child to the emergency room for stitches.
Emergency Dental Care in San Antonio, TX
If you have any other questions about how to handle a dental emergency, or if your child is currently experiencing a dental emergency, call us at 210-672-4200!