In the Know for You to Know

Parents always make their children their top priority, and this also includes their oral health. It doesn’t matter how well you brush their teeth or how good you are about making their regular dental appointments. Emergencies happen. And they happen when you least expect them.

The weather is getting nicer and everyone wants to be outside. Children want to ride their bikes, go to the park, the pool, run, play sports, skateboard… Fun is in the air.

Then you hear screaming and crying, or they come running to you pointing to their mouth. What do you do?

When your child is hurting, everything feels urgent. But how do you know if it is?

This is why it’s important for you to know about the 4 most common types of pediatric dental emergencies.

What Is A Pediatric Dental Emergency?

A pediatric dental emergency involves bleeding, trauma, infection, or pain. It can include 1 aspect or any combination.

4 Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

1. Permanent Tooth Knocked Out

A permanent tooth that’s knocked out due to a fall, sports injury, or other type of accident or trauma is a dental emergency.

Time is of the essence. You need to contact your pediatric dentist immediately.

Next, find the tooth as quickly as possible.

Be careful to pick it up only by its crown. Rinse it off gently and, if possible replace it back into the socket. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a a cup or plastic bag with cold milk or saliva.

It’s important not to let the tooth dry out. The longer the tooth is out of its socket the less chance it will be able to be saved. Doing this swiftly will help save the tooth so long as you can be seen by the dentist right away.

2. Chipped Or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth will require a dental visit.

But, when it’s a large chip or is broken down to the gum line this is a dental emergency and you need to contact your pediatric dentist right away.

3. Severe Tooth Ache

Toothaches can be caused by cavities, infections, even a piece of food stuck between the tooth and the gums. Toothaches do mean a visit to the dentist.

However, if the pain is severe or if there is swelling, redness, fever, crying, not eating, not sleeping contact your pediatric dentist immediately.

4. Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is an infection.

It’s visible on the gums overlaying the tooth. A dental abscess looks like a pimple or large bump. Pus or blood may be inside the abscess.

An abscess is extremely painful. If an abscess spreads it can lead to swelling of the gums, face, jaw, neck or surrounding teeth.

Because this infection can spread not only to other teeth but to other areas of the body, a dental abscess is an absolute emergency that requires immediate attention.

Stay Calm

Easy to say, hard to do.

As a parent, staying calm is one of the most important things you can do during a dental emergency. Your child will take cues from your reaction. Talk to them reassuringly, offer comfort, and focus on getting the right help.

Keep your pediatric dentist’s contact information easily accessible. Whether it’s in your phone, on the fridge, keep it somewhere you will know where to find it because you never know when you will need it.

Has your family experienced a dental emergency? Do you know a child who had their tooth knocked out? How did everything go? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook

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