From broken teeth to unbearable toothaches in the middle of the night – your child’s dental emergencies can show up unannounced. As parents, these situations might frighten you, but it’s important to understand how to handle them.
Your child’s teeth are relatively sensitive and require extra care and attention. Thus, bleeding, toothaches, and chipped teeth – are all situations where you should go to your closest emergency dentist in Phoenix. However, there are certain steps you can take even before you reach the dentist’s office. Let’s explore the five most common dental emergencies in children, and the steps you can take to handle them.
5 Common Dental Emergencies in Children, And How to Handle Them
No parent wants to see their child in dental distress. However, emergencies happen, and being prepared is crucial. Staying calm and taking quick action is key when faced with your child’s dental emergency. This guide covers how to respond to five common issues – from a painful toothache to a fully displaced tooth.
1. Knocked-Out Tooth
It’s common for children’s teeth to get knocked out for different reasons. These situations require emergency dental care and immediate attention.
What you can do: Locate, retrieve, and clean the tooth (hold it from the top, don’t touch the root). If it’s an ‘adult’ tooth, you’ll need to place it in milk for preservation. Contact and visit your nearest emergency dentist as soon as possible.
2. Chipped or Broken Tooth
Your child’s chipped or broken tooth can get infected if not attended to or taken for emergency dental service.
What you can do: Immediately rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water, and apply an external cold compress over the affected area to prevent swelling. Rinse and save the broken fragments – your emergency dentist might need it. Take your child to emergency dentist’s office as soon as possible.
3. Toothache
Severe, regular, or persistent toothaches are a sign of concern and can require emergency dentistry. An emergency dentist can identify, treat, or prevent any underlying issues related to the toothache.
What you can do: Gargling and rinsing with warm salt water can provide some temporary relief. Additionally, a cold compress may also help alleviate some pain. However, for persistent toothaches, you can and should always contact a 24-hour emergency dental care provider.
4. Object Stuck Between Teeth
Objects stuck between teeth or gums can cause pain and discomfort and require attention.
What you can do: Locate and try to gently remove the object from their tooth with dental floss. Make sure not to use any sharp objects that may harm their gums or mouth. If you’re facing any difficulty, do not hesitate to seek help from your dentist.
5. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums in children can be a sign of injury, gum infection, or some underlying health implication. This can be quite painful and discomforting for your child and needs emergency dental care.
What you can do: Take immediate action and rinse their mouth with warm salt water to wash out the affected area. Then, use a clean gauze or cold compress over their cheek (where the pain is) to control/prevent the swelling. After these measures, take them to your nearest dental office in Phoenix for further examination and treatment.
Key Takeaway
Dental issues in children should be given extra care and attention, or they can lead to severe pain, permanent damage, and other health complications. Seeking emergency dental care right away can help relieve your child’s pain, prevent the problem from worsening, and save their teeth. In such urgent dental situations, don’t hesitate to contact an emergency dentist near you.
