Dealing with Children’s Dental Emergencies

Dealing with kid's dental emergencies can be scary. It’s an awful feeling to look at your precious child and see missing or damaged teeth, a mouthful of blood, and your child’s painful or sensitive teeth after an accident. Even the toughest little guys will cry after injuring a tooth, and knowing what to do in a dental emergency can help save your child pain- and save their teeth.



Kid’s Dental Emergencies: Knocked-Out Teeth



Kids get teeth knocked out in all sorts of ways: sports, biting on strange things, trips and falls. When a child loses a tooth, the very first thing to do is run it under cool water to rinse it off.



Don’t scrub the tooth, and don’t touch the root (the part that goes into your child’s gum). Try to stick the tooth back in place. If the tooth won’t stay, place it in a cup of cold milk. Bring your child and the tooth to the dentist’s office within 30-60 minutes. If a dentist can treat your child within an hour of the injury, the tooth can likely be saved.



Even if a missing tooth is a baby one, it is necessary for a dentist to have a look. Baby teeth are important for eating, self-confidence, as well as the adult teeth coming in correctly. Their care shouldn't be taken lightly.



Kid’s Dental Emergencies: Chipped Teeth



Your child can get a chipped tooth from anything from sports to eating. It can cause nerve damage, which may be painful and must be looked at by a dentist. Infection could set in as well, so make sure to do not neglect even a minor chipped tooth.



Kid’s Dental Emergencies: Swelling, Pain, and Bleeding



Trauma to the mouth usually results in bleeding, swelling, and pain. You may follow the directions on packages of products such as Tylenol or Aleve if your little one is old enough to take such medications, or whatever your doctor prescribes. Also, giving your child a cold compress or even letting them suck on a popsicle can help ease the symptoms.



Bleeding from the mouth can be especially upsetting. Apply gentle pressure to the injured area and if the bleeding does not stop within 20-30 minutes, visit your local Emergency Room for evaluation. Some children may need stitches to repair damaged oral tissues, but often, these areas are left to heal by themselves as long as the bleeding can be controlled.



Parenting brings a variety of surprises, and dealing with kid's dental emergencies just comes with the territory. Knowing the above tips and keeping a cool head will go a long way in helping you and your child get through any problems. Keep the emergency phone number for your dentist in a conspicuous spot, such as on your refrigerator. And remember - prompt treatment is crucial for proper healing.



About the Author:
Offering kids dental care in Portland and orthodontics to families throughout the metro area. Dr. Mark Mutschler and his staff will provide information on the practice, orthodontic and pediatric dental care needs.