As parents, we would never want our kids to be in pain. However, no matter how careful we are, our kids may occasionally land into situations that require immediate dental care. While we cannot prevent dental emergencies altogether, knowing what to do in these cases could mean the difference between losing and saving your child’s tooth. Read on to learn more about various dental emergencies and how to ensure your child’s safety during these situations.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the first thing t you need to do is take the dentist as soon as possible. If you are out of town, you should immediately visit a nearby dentist or emergency room as some dental emergencies need to be looked after without delay.
Common Dental Emergencies
Knocked-out Tooth Permanent Tooth
Children often get their teeth knocked out while playing. The good news is that if it is your child’s permanent tooth, it may be possible to put it back into its socket. In case of a knocked-out tooth, call your dentist right away for an emergency appointment. In the meantime, hold the tooth by the crown, making sure not to touch it by the root. Gently remove any dirt or debris by washing it gently. Place the tooth inside a jar with milk. You may also use any ADA-approved tooth preservative medium. Knocked-out teeth have very high chances of successful re-implantation if they are placed back within the first few hours of the incident.
Broken or Dislodged Filling
A fractured tooth or dislodged filling must be treated immediately as it may lead cause severe toothache and may also lead to further complications like dental pulp inflammation. While waiting for your emergency appointment with the dentist, secure the dislodged filing or tooth chip and gently clean the affected tooth. You can apply dental wax or chewing gum over the broken tooth to prevent its sharp edges from injuring your cheeks and prevent food from getting stuck inside the cavity.
Toothache
A toothache in children can occur due to several reasons. Most commonly, a sudden and sharp pain occurs due to tooth decay. Your child may also experience toothache if there is food wedged between two teeth. In case of persistent tooth pain, the American Dental Association recommends rinsing your child’s mouth with lukewarm water to clean it and then using dental floss to remove any food or object that may be stuck between the teeth. Never apply aspirin or any pain-relieving medication directly on your child’s tooth, as it may do more harm than good. Also, you should not use any sharp or pointed object like a toothpick or matchstick to remove any stuck object.
Uncontrolled Bleeding
If an injury has led to uncontrolled bleeding, place a clean cloth over it and apply gentle pressure to control the bleeding. In the meantime, contact your dentist and request an immediate appointment. Alternatively, you should visit any nearby dental office or hospital emergency as bleeding should never be taken lightly.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Let’s face it. We will never be able to prevent dental emergencies altogether. But there are ways to minimize their incidence and the associated damage. Here’s how:
If your kid is involved in contact sports, make sure they wear a mouth guard while playing. It helps prevent your child’s teeth from excessive damage during a head-on collision or accident.
Teach your kids not to use their teeth as tools or scissors.
Prevent your kids from excessively chewing or ice or eating hard candies as they may cause teeth cracks.
At Pearly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that a kid’s dental emergency Torrence CA can occur anytime, anywhere. More importantly, we believe that dental emergencies should be looked after right away. That is why we are available to take care of any children’s dental emergency in San Pedro. Call us at 424-999-5478 right away and let us take care of your child’s dental emergency.
Additionally, if your child has been without dental exams and cleanings for a long period, we encourage you to contact Pearly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment today.
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