Kids Emergency Dentist

Common DentalEmergencies in Kids

If you are a parent concerned about your child’s dental emergency, have no fear! We have quite literally ‘seen it all’ when it comes to kids’ dental emergencies. In fact, here are the most common incidents we see every week.

Dental Emergencies:

• Toothache. It might seem minor, but sudden or severe toothaches can be a sign of something serious. Be aware that this is absolutely an emergency, especially if a fever is present.
• Broken Tooth. It can happen in a second – a broken tooth. One patient fell off a chair and broke his, and another got hit by a very ambitious sibling trying to sweep the kitchen. Whatever the reason, this warrants a trip to our office.
• Knocked-Out Tooth. A step beyond the broken is a knock-out. For baby teeth, this usually isn’t a huge deal, but we do like to make sure that the gums were not hurt and the adult tooth was not damaged (especially if the trauma was due to a fall where the permanent tooth may have also been impacted). If a permanent tooth was knocked out, place the tooth in milk and call us for an emergency appointment.
• Object Stuck in Teeth. This happens most often with younger children or with children who have larger gaps between teeth. If you cannot remove the object, or if it has been jammed into the gums, it is definitely an emergency. Depending on the item, foreign objects can cause infections.
• Abscess. Dental abscesses are painful infections that require immediate attention
• Lip or Cheek Injury. Accidental bites or injuries to the lips or cheeks can be painful. If the bite is severe, contact our office or your primary care provider.

Immediate Steps for Parents During Dental Emergencies

The first step – as in any emergency – is to stay calm. Dental emergencies, and any trauma involving the mouth or head, can bleed a lot and that can trigger a lot of panic. Stay calm and assess the situation. Once you have deduced what happened, you can take the next step. Our dentists are here during your kid’s dental emergency, so give us a call right away. Here are some things you can do for your child during a dental emergency before you get to our office.

• For a knocked-out tooth, place the tooth in milk, as the dentist can usually save the tooth as long as it has not broken into pieces.
• If your child has a toothache and fever, you can administer Tylenol for the fever and pain before seeing the dentist to find out the cause.

Tips for Preventing Dental Emergencies in Children

There really isn’t a way to prevent an accident or emergency – if there was, then it wouldn’t be considered an accident or emergency! However, there are some preventive measures to take to reduce the chances of a major dental mishap. Here are some things we tell parents at every routine dental exam and at any emergency office visit.

• If your child is in sports, have them wear mouthguards.
• Eat a balanced diet to help promote healthy teeth and gums.
• Incorporate a dental hygiene routine to eliminate bacteria that cause gum disease, toothaches, and infections. This includes bi-yearly visits to our office for their dental cleaning and exam.
• Increase their water intake. Kids who drink more water not only drink less sugary beverages but also wash away bacteria and help keep Dry Mouth at bay.
• Don’t let them open bags or plastics with their teeth. Assist them with scissors.
• Sealants and Fluoride. At your child’s next dental visit, ask to have sealants or fluoride applied to help prevent decay and cavities.
• Educate your child about risky behavior or dangerous actions such as climbing on top of counters or swinging around objects.

Don’t Wait During a Dental Emergency

The most important thing during a dental emergency is not to wait. You are not a bother – and we want to help your child! When the unexpected happens, please contact our caring, experienced dental providers in Meridian, ID.