Emergencies
Children often have dental injuries. Whether it’s a toddler who is learning to walk or a teen who’s playing sports, injuries to the face, mouth, and teeth are common.
Here’s how to handle the most common dental emergencies.
Make sure there is no jaw or head trauma.
If your child loses consciousness, vomits, or has unusually sized pupils, then see a physician immediately. Deal with the dental injury after seeing the physician.
Stop the bleeding.
Direct pressure with a clean gauze or washcloth can help control bleeding until you can seek help from the dentist.
Knocked out baby tooth
Control the bleeding and call our office. Don’t try to put the tooth back in the mouth – that could damage the developing permanent tooth.
Knocked out permanent tooth
Find the tooth. Try not to handle the root of the tooth. If the tooth has grass or dirt on it then rinse with milk (don’t scrub the tooth). Gently place the tooth back into the socket and hold with finger pressure or by gently biting on a wet washcloth. If you are unable to place the tooth back in the socket, then place the tooth in milk or saliva and get to our office as soon as possible.
Chipped tooth
Find the broken piece of tooth if you can. If possible, put the fractured piece of tooth in milk. If the nerve of the tooth is exposed, we will need to see you as soon as possible. A cold cloth can help keep swelling down.
Toothache
Most toothaches can wait for the soonest appointment available. Swelling of the cheek or lip, however, could indicate infection and treatment should not wait.