A pediatric dental emergency can be frightening and distressing for both the child and their parents. However, it’s essential to understand how to address these situations in order to limit further harm and protect your child’s dental health.
Following are some steps that you should take if your child has a dental emergency:
Swelling
If there is bleeding or swelling, it is essential to maintain your calm and examine the situation to determine the seriousness of the damage. Seek medical help immediately if your child has a serious injury or is having trouble breathing.
Knocked-out tooth
If your child’s tooth is knocked out, you should retrieve it and give it a gentle water rinse rather than scrub it or clean it with soap. If at all feasible, try placing the tooth back in its socket while holding it in place with a piece of fresh gauze or cloth. Place the tooth in a jar of milk or saliva if you are unable to insert it. Then, take your child and the tooth to emergency dentistry near you as soon as possible.
Broken or chipped tooth
To lessen swelling, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and use a cold compress. Save whatever bits of the chipped tooth you can discover, and then take your child to the dentist near you immediately.
Severe toothache
Apply a cold compress to the area and rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water if they are having excruciating tooth pain. If required, give them over-the-counter pain relievers, and schedule a dental appointment.
Object stuck in teeth
If your child has something stuck between their teeth, try to remove it gently by flossing their teeth. If you are unable to remove it with dental floss, make sure you avoid using any hard objects to try and dislodge it.
Bleeding
If you notice severe bleeding from your child’s mouth, rinse their mouth with warm salt water and apply pressure to the affected area with a clean cloth or gauze. If the bleeding persists, take them to the dentist immediately.
FAQs
1. How soon do you need to visit the dentist?
Even though a loose tooth isn’t a serious problem, it’s nevertheless crucial to visit a dentist within a day or so. A missing tooth is considered an emergency, so you should make an appointment with your dentist immediately.
2. What is the best way to manage my pain?
You might try the following for temporary toothache relief:
- Use warm salt water to rinse. In addition to being a cleanser and pain reliever, salt water can help release particles stuck between your teeth.
- Use hydrogen peroxide to rinse. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Apply cold compress
- Take dentist-recommended pain medications
3. Is dental treatment complicated?
The particular surgery being carried out and the state of the patient’s teeth and gums will determine how complicated the dental treatment will be. Some dental procedures, including regular cleanings and fillings, are typically simple and can be completed in just one appointment with little discomfort.
4. What should I do if a dental emergency arises and I am unable to contact my regular dentist?
The first thing you should do if you have a dental emergency, call your dentist for more instructions. If you need a dentist after regular business hours, many of them have an emergency number you can call. Visit a nearby urgent care facility or emergency hospital if your dentist is not available.
Talk with Our Expert Dentist in Kelowna
It’s essential to maintain composure and act promptly in any dental emergency. Make an immediate appointment with your child’s dentist, and if necessary, seek emergency medical care at emergency dentistry in Kelowna. You may assist your child in maintaining their calm and receiving the care they require to recover from a dental emergency by following these instructions. To learn more, you can also visit Dr. Sean M. Swift Dentistry today!