Children’s Dental Emergencies and What to do:
Dental emergencies happen especially with children. They often fall and bump their teeth or perhaps get hit in the mouth during physical contact sports… it happens. Here are some ideas to help should you encounter these situations.
Cut or bitten lip/ mouth - apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with clean cloth. If there is swelling, apply cold compress/ice to the area. If bleeding persists beyond an hour then call your dentist or pediatrician.
Permanent Tooth knocked out – playing sports or perhaps in a car accident. First thing to do is FIND the missing tooth to ensure it was not swallowed. Then, only rinse off the tooth - do not scrub tooth / hold it by the crown area not the root & reinsert the root tip if possible / If not possible to reinsert - place tooth in container of milk/water or saline solution if you have it (tooth needs to be kept moist). If bleeding is occurring from the area - try to have the person bite on a clean soft cloth or gauze. PATIENT must be seen by a Dentist or at the ER within one hour if at all possible.
Baby Tooth Knocked Out - Do NOT try to reinsert the baby tooth - this may damage the permanent tooth that is located underneath the baby tooth in the gums. Call your dentist - they may want to see the child to check for other areas of trauma in the child’s mouth. Check to be sure the child did not swallow the tooth.
Bleeding after baby tooth falls out naturally - have child bite down on a clean, slightly wet gauze or wet cloth for 15 minutes - repeat procedure if bleeding persists. If bleeding persists beyond an hour contact your dentist.
Broken Tooth - call your dentist right away to determine how soon the child should be seen.
Possible Broken Jaw - try to keep jaw from moving - hold in place with towel/ gauze wrap/ ace wrap - Take Child to ER immediately! Attempt to place ice in the area of pain if possible… as soon as possible,
Toothache - Take child to Dentist as soon as possible - DO NOT use heat or place aspirin on aching teeth or gums. Ice pack may be used and Tylenol may be given to help ease pain.