There is no way to tell when and how an accident will happen. Children are very active which makes dental emergencies a common occurrence. This is not a pleasant situation to find yourself in as a parent. You are likely to find yourself going frantic about it. However, for your own sake and that of your child, you must take charge of the situation by acting as quickly and as calmly as possible to see that your child gets the help they need. Prior preparation for such situations can help you to maintain calmness. Here are some of the common dental emergencies among children and ways in which you can prepare as well as handle them when they occur.
Broken Tooth
As strong as they are, teeth can still crack or chip when faced with a great enough force. Children are rough in their play, making it a possibility for them to hurt their teeth while at it. When your child has a tooth injury, you first need to check for any bleeding or swelling as well as asking them if they are in pain. However, be careful not to tamper with the injured tooth as it can easily get infected.
If you spot any bleeding or swelling, you can have your child do a rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to relieve the pain. You then need to see your pediatric dentist as soon as is possible to prevent the tooth from developing further complications.
If you can get a hold of any of the chipped fragments, store them in a container filled with water, saliva or milk. Carry this with you to the pediatric dentist’s office to see whether they can be reattached. If not, the doctor will use a crown to fix it.
Preparation:
Such injuries are most likely to be sustained during sporting activities. For this reason, it is important that you get your child a mouth guard to offer them dental protection as they play as per your pediatric dentist’s guidance.
This kind of injury can also arise from biting on hard substances. You should, therefore, warn your children against using teeth for other purposes other than eating such as the opening of packages.
Knocked-Out Tooth
In a more severe case, your child may have the entire tooth knocked out altogether. In this case, find the tooth if you can. Ensure to keep off the root section as much as possible by holding the tooth by its crown. You may perform a slight rinse on it but be careful not to overdo it.
Check for any deformations with the tooth such as a fracture. If none, you may reattach it back to its socket if you feel capable to do so. Have your child hold it in place by biting on gauze, clean cloth, or a wet teabag.
If you do not feel confident enough to reinsert the tooth, place it in a container filled with your child’s saliva or milk. Here, water does not apply. A safer way would be to have your child carry it inside their mouth against the cheek to maintain the moisture.
Get your child to a pediatric dental clinic immediately to avoid infections or excessive bleeding. Depending on the condition of the tooth, the pediatric dentist may be able to re-implant it. The quicker you are with this, the more your chances of salvaging the tooth will be.
If you are dealing with a baby tooth, do not try and reattach it but instead, visit the pediatric dentist who will decide whether to place it back or not. Simply make your child do a rinse and place gauze on the injured area.
Preparation:
In preparation for such occurrences, it is important that you equip yourself with a dental first aid kit containing the necessary items. Ensure that you place it somewhere where it can be easily reached during an emergency. Also, familiarize yourself with how to use it properly.
Persistent Toothache
If your child constantly complains of a toothache, then it is something to be alarmed about. This is because it could signify a more serious dental issue such as an oral infection.
To help reduce the pain, have your child rinse their mouth with some warm water. You could also check for potentially stuck particles that can be removed through thorough brushing and flossing. If the pain is severe, you may give your child some pain medication to help them feel better.
If the toothache persists, take your child to the pediatric dental clinic to have a pediatric dentist examine the tooth for any problems.
Preparation:
A toothache is most likely to originate from poor oral hygiene. Hence, to avoid one, come up with a concise oral routine for your child to help them maintain clean and healthy teeth.
Regular dental checkups are also necessary for the pediatric dentist to constantly ensure that your child’s teeth are in good shape. This will also help to catch on any dental issues early enough before they become
SUMMARY:
If your child is in a dental emergency, you need to quickly assess the situation and take the necessary steps or call a pediatric dental clinic for help if you are not sure of what to do. It is an unpleasant thing to see your child in pain. Prior preparation, just as a quick reaction, is important in ensuring that your child gets out of a dental emergency safely and as soon as possible.