By Gentle Touch Dentistry Richardson
As much as you try to protect your child and keep them safe, getting bumps and bruises from time to time is all part of being a kid. Sometimes, however, playtime can turn into an emergency situation quickly. Knowing how deal with an emergency can keep help in protecting your child’s dental health and ensuring quick treatment. Here are 5 common dental emergencies that require you to contact a dental care for kids in Richardson, TX.
Toothache
When your child complains about a toothache, it may not automatically mean there is an emergency. A minor irritation may be caused by a trapped piece of food, and the first step is to carefully brush and floss around the area. Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water. If they’re still feeling pain or discomfort, apply a cold compress and give them a children’s pain reliever. Don’t apply heat, as this could make the problem worse.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth
Broken or chipped teeth are only considered an emergency if it’s causing pain or significant sensitivity. You should still come in as soon as possible so we can fix the problem before it gets worse. In the meantime, help your child rinse their mouth out with warm water followed by a cold compress to reduce swelling. If possible, find the broken piece and store carry it to the dental office so that it could be restored if possible.
A Permanent Tooth Has Been Knocked Out
This is one of the more serious emergencies that your child may experience. It is a time-sensitive dental emergency. While this is a cosmetic problem, it can also cause the following, more serious problems.
- Bone loss in the jaw
- Shifting teeth
- Difficulty chewing
- Wearing down of remaining teeth
- Changes in their jaw joint
Obviously, these are serious concerns. They can only be avoided by taking action quickly. Additionally, if a tooth is knocked out by force, it may bleed significantly, so you should get that under control first. Apply direct pressure with a cold compress, or have your child bite down on a piece of gauze. Depending on how much pain your child is in, you can give then an appropriate dose of an over-the-counter pain reliever to make them more comfortable.
Try your best to locate the tooth if possible. Gently rinse off any debris before trying to put it back in the socket. It’s very important that you only touch the tooth at the crown, avoiding any contact with the roots. If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, place it in a bowl of milk or a damp cloth.
Fractured Face or Jaw
Broken bones in your child’s face and jaw are a serious emergency and should be treated as a medical and dental emergency. Any damage to the bones should be your first priority, as well as any brain injuries your child may have sustained since facial fractures are most commonly caused by a blow to the head. Apply a cold compress and go to the hospital immediately. If teeth have been knocked out, you can keep them in a glass of milk or wet cloth and take them with you.
Dental emergencies are always scary, but knowing what to do makes it easier to handle the situation safely. If your child experiences a dental emergency always contact a pediatric dentist near you in Richardson TX immediately. Oftentimes, acting quickly is the best way to both fix the problem at hand and avoid more significant problems in the future.
