Emergency Dentistry for Kids: How to Help Your Child During a Dental Emergency

An unforeseen pediatric dental emergency may occur due to sudden injuries like falls, decayed teeth, or infections. Such emergencies can be alarming for children and their parents, particularly if the tooth is broken or knocked out entirely. However, understanding the appropriate response and when to seek help after such an incident can minimize the chances of permanent tooth damage or loss.

What Is A Pediatric Dental Emergency?

An emergency pediatric dentist should be consulted to treat any situation that endangers the tooth’s integrity or causes continuous oral bleeding or extreme discomfort. This is what constitutes a dental emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies that Affect Children and How to Recognize Them

Here are some dental problems that may require immediate attention for children.

Infect Baby Tooth

If you don’t clean your children’s baby teeth correctly or consistently, one or more of them can become infected or abscessed, resulting in pockets of pus forming around the tooth. This can affect the way your child speaks or eats. Since the infection can spread throughout the body, it is essential to seek treatment at Feather River Kids Dentistry immediately.

Symptoms may include swelling in the cheek or jaw and a low-grade fever. To alleviate pain, you can apply ice packs to the area for short periods. However, if there are visible abscesses, they will likely be painful to the touch, and touching them may introduce more bacteria. Therefore, it’s essential to encourage your child to avoid touching their mouth and the infected tooth.

Injured or Lost Permanent Tooth

For older children who have adult teeth, there is a chance of them getting fractured or dislodged. This kind of problem is severe as it will most likely require a tooth replacement. If an adult tooth is knocked out, there are various ways to preserve it. As you travel to the dentist, it is essential to follow the below steps:

• Hold the tooth in the empty socket with gauze.
• Put the tooth in a paper cup and add milk to prevent the roots from drying.
• Avoid touching the tooth to decrease the possibility of infection. Taking prompt action can mean the difference between saving a damaged adult tooth and needing an artificial crown or implant.

Chipped or Fractured Tooth

When children experience tooth chipping or fracturing, it can be corrected with dental treatment. A minor chip can be fixed with dental bonding or tooth-colored fillings, but more severe damage may require a dental crown. The following steps can be taken when handling a chipped or fractured tooth in children.

Initially, control any bleeding, and if not possible, seek medical attention. Next, have your child rinse their mouth using warm water and ensure they don’t swallow tooth fragments. If possible, bring any fragments with you to the dental appointment. Finally, visit an emergency dentist near you as soon as possible if there are larger chips or fractures, loose teeth, shifted teeth, or if your child experiences pain.

A Toothache

If your child is experiencing a toothache, begin by having them rinse their mouth with warm water. Next, use dental floss to get rid of any foods or debris that may be causing the pain. If the pain persists, contact your emergency dentist in Yuba City, CA, to schedule an appointment. It is a misconception that placing aspirin on a tooth or gum can ease tooth pain, and this can cause gum tissue to burn.

Instead, you can administer an over-the-counter pain reliever to your child to help relieve the toothache until you can see the dentist. However, if your child has severe tooth pain and facial swelling, this could indicate an infection that could spread if left untreated. Therefore, it is essential to contact the dentist immediately. In the meantime, you can use a bag of ice to reduce swelling.

Managing Anxiety and Fear in Children During A Dental Emergency

To help your kid overcome their fear, try communicating with them more about the dental experience. Explaining what will happen during the appointment may calm your child and ease their fears.

A competent dentist near you should be willing to show your child the equipment and guide them through the process. Then, simply ask your dentist to explain the treatment to your child, and they should be happy to help. This can significantly affect how your child feels before, during, and after the appointment.