When your child needs urgent dental treatment, we are ready to help. Below are a few tips on what to do if your child has a dental emergency.
What should I do if my child has a toothache/swelling?
- First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on their face if it is swollen.
- Give your child over-the-counter children’s pain medication and dose according your child’s weight and age. Do not place heat or aspirin on the teeth or gums.
- Finally, call us as soon as possible, pain and swelling may be a sign of a dental infection.
What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?
Contact us as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replaced because of the potential subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.
What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?
Find the tooth. Hold the tooth by the crown (the white part), not by the root (the yellow part). Replace the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible. If contaminated, rinse gently with cold tap water (do not scrub or clean it with soap) and put the tooth back in its place. Bite on a clean gauze or a washcloth to hold it in position If you can not put the tooth back in, place it in a cup of milk or saline. When milk or saline is not available, place the tooth in the child’s mouth (between the cheeks or gums). Go to the dentist immediately, the faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?
Rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find a broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dental office. Sometimes the fragment can be reattached; however, if it cannot be attached the tooth can be repaired with a composite filling.
What about a severe blow to the head or a jaw fracture?
Call 911. You need immediate medical attention. A severe head injury can be life-threatening.
Your child’s risk of dental injuries can be reduced greatly by following a few simple suggestions.
- By wearing protective gear including a mouth guard during sporting activities
- Always use a car seat for young children and require seat belts for everyone else in the car
- Childproof your home to prevent falls and electrical injuries
