Dental emergencies can mean serious injury to your child’s teeth, and in some cases, your child may even lose their permanent tooth or get an infection in their gums. To avoid making the situation worse, you should know what to do if your child has a dental emergency.
Most dental emergencies require you to take your child to a pediatric dentist or a 24-hour emergency dental clinic as soon as possible. But before you do, here are some first-aid measures you need to do in case of:
Knocked out tooth
Children fall all the time, some more so than others. Even if your child not inherently clumsy, there is still a chance of them knocking out their tooth while playing sports or even while simply running around in the park. Needless to say, your child knocking out their tooth means that their face has taken an impact strong enough to dislodge it, so you must ensure that they don’t have a more serious injury that you need to attend to first.
If your kid shows no signs of a more serious injury other than the knocked out tooth, comfort your child first and help them gather themselves. After making sure they’re okay, search for the tooth and be careful not to touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in milk, but make sure that you’re not touching any tissue.
Try to replace the fallen tooth in its socket. If this is not possible, put the tooth in a container with milk or salt water (this is not necessary for baby teeth), and bring it with you when you take your child to the dentist’s office.
Cracked or chipped tooth
A basketball comes hurling at your child’s face, or they bite down too hard on a jawbreaker. The next thing you know, your child’s tooth is chipped, and both of you are panicking. First things first, stay calm and help your child do the same. Then, find the tooth fragments, if possible, and then place them in a glass of milk. Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to clean the area. If the tooth is bleeding, have your child press on it with a damp gauze until the bleeding stops.
Take your child to the dentist as soon as possible. While you’re waiting, apply a cold compress to your child’s face to minimize swelling. You may even want to give your child a popsicle to comfort them.
Toothache
Toothaches are common in children, and there can be various causes to it. Here are possible reasons why your child has a toothache:
- Tooth decay
- Cracked tooth enamel
- Dental abscess
- Food stuck between teeth
- Gum diseases
When your kid has a toothache, wash their mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt. If you see hard pieces of food between their teeth, use dental floss to dislodge the debris. Otherwise, apply a cold compress to the sore area if there is swelling, and give your child an appropriate painkiller. Schedule a visit with your child’s dentist right away to find out what’s causing the toothache.
Broken jaw
A broken jaw is one of the worst emergencies that can happen to your child. If your child fractures their jaw, gently align the jaws and wrap a bandage around the head to prevent your child from moving their mouth. Then, take them to an emergency room immediately.
However, if your child is unresponsive, has a more serious head injury, or is bleeding uncontrollably, call 911 right away.
Cut lips, cheeks, tongue
Although cuts on your child’s lips, cheeks, and tongue are not as serious as the other dental emergencies mentioned above, they should still be treated with the utmost care. A simple cut on your child’s mouth tissue can lead to bleeding and swelling. In worse cases, a cut can even cause an infection in your child’s mouth.
If your child cuts their lips, cheeks, or tongue, stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the wound with a clean piece of gauze. Use a cold compress on the affected area if you notice any swelling. Lastly, give your child an appropriate painkiller to relieve the pain (if necessary).
Dental emergencies are scary, stressful, and can lead to more serious dental damage. Although it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of dental emergencies, you can minimize it by:
- Having your child wear a mouthguard and helmet when playing sports or engaging in recreational activities
- Correcting their behavior when you see them putting objects in their mouth (e.g., pencils, toothbrushes, toys, etc.)
- Avoiding giving your child hard candies, kettle corn, taffy, and other food that can cause tooth injuries
- Preventing young children from running on uneven surfaces
Doing so can also ensure that your child maintains their dental hygiene. You won’t have to worry too much about emergencies.
Meta title: What to Do When Your Child Has a Dental Emergency
Meta description: Dental emergencies are undoubtedly panic-inducing for parents. To avoid making it worse, know what you need to do in case it happens to your child.
