Pediatric Emergency Dental Care – Common Questions
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD’S BABY TOOTH IS KNOCKED OUT?
Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The baby tooth should NOT be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD’S PERMANENT TOOTH IS KNOCKED OUT?
Find the tooth and rinse it gently with cool water. Do NOT scrub or clean it with soap – use water only. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva or water. Because this scenario calls for pediatric emergency dental care, please get to the dental office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
WHAT IF A TOOTH IS CHIPPED OR FRACTURED?
Contact the office immediately – this incident definitely calls for pediatric emergency dental care. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold mild or water and bring it with you to the dental office.
WHAT ABOUT A SEVERE BLOW TO THE HEAD OR A JAW FRACTURE?
You need immediate medical attention. A severe head injury can be life threatening. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team might be able to reach you faster than you can get to the hospital. When it comes to these kinds of incidents you may need pediatric emergency dental care as well as emergency medical attention.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS A TOOTHACHE?
Call the office. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Over the counter children’s pain medication, dose according to your child’s weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, buy do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.
CAN DENTAL INJURIES BE PREVENTED?
Your child’s risk for dental injuries can be reduced greatly by following a few simple suggestions. First, reduce risk for severe oral injury in sports by wearing protective gear, including a mouth guard. Second, always use a car seat for young children and require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, childproof your home to prevent falls and electrical injuries. Regular dental check-ups provide your dentist an opportunity to discuss additional age-appropriate preventive strategies with your child.
For any additional questions, please call (719) 424-4668. If your child’s life is at risk please call local emergency services at 9-1-1.